Sunderland vs Leeds predictions: Black Cats a value play in key clash

– Sunderland have won all four of their home games this season
– Leeds have dropped points against their two other top four rivals
– Recommended Bet: Sunderland to win

Sunderland lead the way in the Championship after eight rounds of fixtures with 18 points on the board and they face a huge test of their title credentials on Friday with a home game against Leeds.

The visitors sit three points adrift of the Black Cats and are heavily fancied for automatic promotion after finishing in third place last term with 90 points.

Sunderland will be without Ian Poveda after he picked up a muscle issue against Derby in midweek, having been introduced as a substitute.

Boss Regis Le Bris has no other fresh concerns and could stick with the same XI that claimed a 2-0 win over the Rams.

Leeds will be without Ilia Gruev after he suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw at Norwich on Tuesday.

Leeds have failed to score in their other two games against top four rivals this season (D1, L1).

Sunderland have won all four of their home games this season without conceding.

Leeds have won just three of their last eight competitive away games.

Sunderland kept clean sheets in both league meetings with the Whites last season (W1, D1).

Leeds come into this game as the clear favourites for all three points but there looks to be more value in backing Sunderland, who are the underdogs based on the match market.

Le Bris’ troops have been exceptional at home this season with all four wins coming with clean sheets and Leeds will struggle to break their hosts down.

Although Sunderland finished in the lower end of mid-table last season, they still impressed against Leeds, taking four points from two games without conceding in either fixture.

These teams look a lot closer this time around and Sunderland can send out a statement with a win over a key title rival on Friday.

Leeds have already struggled against their main rivals this term. Burnley and West Brom are among the other teams who currently sit above them in the table and they fell short against both, playing out a 0-0 draw at the Baggies and losing 1-0 at home to Burnley.

Sunderland have turned the Stadium of Light into a fortress and they look rock solid at the back, so they look great value for all three points against a Leeds side who have dropped points in key games and are yet to hit their stride.

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