Leeds United could significantly damage Sunderland's hopes of catching the Peacocks and securing automatic promotion from the Championship on Monday when they welcome them to Elland Road.
The home side are second with 69 points and occupy one of two automatic promotion spots, whereas the Black Cats are seven points behind in fourth place and come into the clash having beaten Luton Town 2-0 on February 12.
Match preview
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Leeds emerged as 4-0 victors against Watford last Tuesday, a game in which they limited the Hornets to just two shots on target, while producing four big chances and 16 attempts from inside the penalty area themselves.
Despite not scoring in their prior match against Millwall on February 8, the hosts have still managed to find the back of the net 13 times in four outings, and their record of 66 goals scored in the Championship is at least 15 more than any other side in the division.
It should also be noted that Daniel Farke's team have kept seven clean sheets in their eight most recent fixtures.
Leeds are currently on track to accumulate 99 points over the course of the current Championship season, and that total would represent the joint seventh-highest ever achieved in the history of the second tier.
The Peacocks' form heading into Monday has largely been excellent, with the club emerging triumphant in 11 of their past 16 matches, succumbing to defeat just once in that period.
Farke's side are unbeaten in 13 Championship games at home, winning 12 and drawing one, and have won their last three by a cumulative score of 12-0.
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Opponents Sunderland only faced two shots from inside the box against Luton, but they struggled to create opportunities in the final third given they produced just one big chance.
To their credit, the visitors have scored nine goals in four games, but they also conceded on six occasions in that time.
The Black Cats managed to earn a point in the reverse fixture against Leeds on October 4 when they drew 2-2, though they only claimed a point thanks to Junior Firpo's 97th-minute own goal.
While Regis Le Bris's side are likely to end the season in one of four promotion playoff spots given they are 15 points ahead of seventh-placed Coventry City, a victory on Monday would keep their chances of automatic promotion alive considering a four-point gap to the Peacocks could feasibly be overturned in their final 13 matches.
Sunderland are in mixed form having lost one, drawn three and won three of their seven most recent outings, though they did win three of their past five.
Le Bris's team have triumphed in their last two games on the road, but they have only won three of their last 10 away matches, drawing five and succumbing to defeat in two.
Team News
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Leeds will have to contend with the absence of defender Maximilian Wober, who is not scheduled to return until late June.
Perhaps Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu could join full-back Firpo in the backline, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier stationed behind them.
Elsewhere, with attacker Patrick Bamford not available due to a hamstring injury, Dan James, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon are likely to support striker Joel Piroe.
As for Sunderland, they will be without defenders Ajibola Alese and Niall Huggins, so expect Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard, Luke O'Nien and Dennis Cirkin to start in defence.
Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns is set to be sidelined until late March, while winger Romaine Mundle is dealing with a hamstring injury and Tom Watson may miss out on action for a few more days.
If Watson is not declared fit, then Patrick Roberts, Chris Rigg and Enzo Le Fee will almost certainly be selected behind striker Wilson Isidor.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee; Isidor
We say: Leeds United 2-1 Sunderland
It is difficult to look past Leeds' impressive record at both ends of the pitch, and it would be surprising if they faced many chances on Monday.
Additionally, Sunderland have been somewhat shaky defensively of late, and they could find themselves having to come back from an early deficit if they are to claim any points from their hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
