In the now exciting head-to-head between Sheffield United and Leeds, first and second place respectively in the Championship, the English second division, they would like to play the part of the “party poopers”. Burnley and Sunderland, the other two teams that, despite having a few points less than the Blades and Whites, still believe they can be promoted directly without having to go through the playoffs (in the Premier League the first two teams go through, from third to sixth position you’ll have to settle for the postseason).
Last Saturday Sheffield United once again overtook Leeds at the top of the table, and now Leeds have to respond. Daniel Farke’s team has won three games in a row, and in addition to boasting astonishing offensive numbers – the best attack with an impressive 66 goals scored so far – it has now become very solid at the back too. The Whites, in fact, have kept a clean sheet in their last six games, thus extending their unbeaten streak (Leeds haven’t lost in the Championship since November, their only defeats in this period have come in the FA Cup). Sunderland, on the other hand, are fourth in the table (7 points behind Ampadu and his team-mates) but they too are coming off the back of a long series of positive results. The Black Cats are unbeaten since December 29th, when they lost to Stoke City. Their form is still fluctuating – three draws in the last 6 games – but the team led by Frenchman Regis Le Bris doesn’t give up easily. Leeds, by the way, knows this well, since they were caught by the Whites in the first leg (2-2).
Odds comparison
Leeds’ win is quoted at 1.53 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.50 on Snai. The “Goal” sign, on the other hand, is quoted at 1.93 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.90 on Snai.
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The prediction
Twelve wins and a draw in their last home games, Leeds are favorites against Sunderland. The Black Cats will certainly suffer from the firepower of the Whites’ attack but, as in the first leg, they might manage to break through their defense: after all, they have always scored at least one goal in the last 5 games.
The probable Leeds-Sunderland line-ups
LEEDS (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe.
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Le Fée; Isidor.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
