Daniel Farke is making his final preparations with the Leeds United squad ahead of tonight’s huge Premier League showdown, with Sunderland set to visit Elland Road.
There’s still a sense of frustration lingering after Saturday’s narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester City. Leeds pushed the champions hard, but the game was overshadowed by disputed refereeing decisions and Farke’s red card, a ruling the club hopes will be overturned before this evening’s kick-off.
Despite that disappointment, the overall picture hasn’t shifted too much. Results elsewhere worked in Leeds’ favour, keeping them 15th in the table and six points clear of the relegation zone.
A win over Sunderland would be another big stride towards securing Premier League football next season. With so much riding on it, Farke is expected to resist the urge to make major changes and instead stick largely with the side he trusts.
Leeds United have been told what Sunderland are doing better than them
Sunderland finished a whopping 24 points behind Leeds in the Championship last season. However, the Black Cats have done better in the Premier League.
They are three spots and six points above Leeds, but the Whites now have a chance cut down that lead by half by the time the final whistle is blown at Elland Road tonight.
Former Leeds star Michael Bridges believes Sunderland’s better finishing has been the difference between the two teams. He believes that if Leeds were more efficient, they would have been in the top half.
Bridges said on LUTV: “I think if we had the conversion rate that Sunderland have had this season, they’ve had a low amount of chances, but they’ve scored the goals at key points.
“Their xG is low, but the position is higher.
“The amount of xG that we have got is up here, but the conversion rate has not been good.
“It showed again [against Manchester City] with a few big chances
“If we could have had that, we’d be in the top half of the table.”
A win tonight will be huge for the home side
The defeat against Manchester City was irritating for Leeds. However, other results meant Leeds remained six points clear of the relegation zone.
The turmoil at Tottenham, coupled with West Ham and Nottingham Forest’s inability to get results, means Leeds are inching closer to Premier League safety.
Tonight’s clash with Sunderland feels even bigger in the context of the season. Picking up all three points would not only strengthen Leeds’ push for survival, but also put a bit more daylight between them and West Ham, who are currently sitting in the final relegation spot.
Sunderland vs Leeds United – Last Three Results 
| Result | Competition |
|---|---|
| Sunderland 1–1 Leeds United | Premier League |
| Leeds United 2–1 Sunderland | Championship |
| Sunderland 2–2 Leeds United | Championship |
Right now, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham look like more attainable targets for West Ham to chase down. Leeds, on the other hand, have built a real defensive steel about them and are starting to show the kind of confidence that suggests they can compete with anyone in the division.
