We’ve a Monday night treat on the cards as an entertaining duo face off on the box in the second tier to kick off the week.
It’s Leeds v Sunderland in the Championship and, if recent matches are anything to go by, this should be a lot of fun.
Our tipster James O’Rourke the run the rule over this match to serve up a beautiful Bet Builder to kick off the week. Let’s have it.
Leeds v Sunderland tips
Sunderland +2
Manor Solomon to have 1+ shots on target
Joël Piroe to commit 1+ fouls
Trai Hume to commit 2+ fouls
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Monday 17th of February, 8pm
WHERE: Elland Road, Leeds
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
SUNDERLAND +2
It is understandable why Leeds are favourites for this game, however they are very short odds-on. They are top of the table and have the best home record in the Championship, but let’s not be too quick to dismiss Sunderland here. After all, the top four in the league are in their own mini breakaway division of their own. The away side have lost only four league matches all season.
Furthermore, Régis Le Bris’ side have quite a solid record against the better sides at their level. Heading into this round of fixtures, only once have they lost all season against a team inside the top 11 places. This was a slender 1-0 away setback to Sheffield United back in November. In fact, all four of their league setbacks have been by a one-goal margin, thus not being defeated on a +2 handicap.
On the flip side, Leeds have not been the most convincing when they have come up against the better calibre of opposition. Daniel Farke’s men have won only one of eight season battles versus current top-eight teams (heading into this weekend). Two of those were 1-0 losses and five finished all-square, including the away meeting with Sunderland in October, where a last-gasp Illan Meslier goalkeeping error denied Leeds all three points.
There is probably more pressure on Leeds here, particularly given Sunderland being involved in a promotion quest like this was less expected. They have been excellent all season and they have demonstrated they’re not one to capitulate or come off a distant second best in terms of the score.
MANOR SOLOMON TO HAVE 1 OR MORE SHOTS ON TARGET
Leeds have made some excellent signings this season. They’ve added the likes of Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon and Ao Tanaka, who have all had excellent campaigns, but the loan acquisition of Manor Solomon also ranks very highly. The Tottenham loanee has managed to dislodge Wilfried Gnonto from the left winger berth, which would have seemed an unimaginable prospect earlier in the season. The Israeli has bagged seven goals across 16 Championship starts. Four of those came within his previous six league appearances, too.
The 25-year-old has got better and better the more he has played, having initially signed after very limited football this season. He is simply playing too well for Daniel Farke to drop him, despite there being top talent lining up behind him in the pecking order. As mentioned, his goal return of late is excellent considering he isn’t a striker. The winger easily could have had more given he is averaging 1.71 shots over the last seven games he has played. Within that, Solomon has recorded an average of 1.00 shots on target per match.
JOËL PIROE TO COMMIT 1 OR MORE FOULS
Former Swansea City attacker Joel Piroe had struggled to earn regular starts earlier this season but fast forward to now and he is one of the first names on the team sheet. It could be argued they are short of options in this department, especially with Patrick Bamford out injured, however the Dutchman has earned his opportunities on merit. After all, he is their top scorer in all competitions with 14 goals, plus he is joint-third in the team assists chart.
Being a lone striker can often be a thankless task and there will be situations where frustrations do break out. Also, he will ultimately have been set roles and responsibilities in Daniel Farke’s tactical game plan with regards to when the team are out of possession. Therefore, committing a foul or two does come into the equation for someone like Piroe.
That has proved to be the case fairly recently as the centre forward recently went six straight games of making at least one foul. He has not in his last two starts, but those were very comfortable victories. He’ll have more on his plate facing a talented and hard to beat Sunderland outfit. Interestingly, Piroe has only made three or more fouls in one match all season, which was when Leeds played away to Sunderland last October.
TRAI HUME TO COMMIT 2 OR MORE FOULS
With Manor Solomon down the left and Daniel James the right, along with very adventurous full backs in Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo getting forward at every opportunity, utilising the wide areas is a major part of Leeds’ offensive arsenal. It means opposing full backs know they are likely in for a tough day, particularly when heading to Elland Road. Sunderland right back Trai Hume is therefore one individual who is on one hand relishing, but also nervously awaiting, Monday’s trip to West Yorkshire.
Hume is ranked joint-first in the Sunderland squad for number of assists in Championship action this season. While the manager won’t want him to totally neglect his offensive contributions, he’ll have to be really switched on defensively given the quality of the opposition. He has clearly done that all season given how well Sunderland have performed, yet more recently Hume has been busy committing fouls.
For four straight games, Hume has made two or more fouls in the game. He is currently on a nine-match sequence when failing to not produce a single foul. Over those nine, the full back has only received one yellow card, so he is seemingly excelling in the art of making those rather petty fouls that break up play in less threatening areas. As long as he isn’t being carded, he won’t be too worried about that, but it does mean he rates a good candidate to make a few fouls here again.
Leeds v Sunderland tips
Sunderland +2
Manor Solomon to have 1+ shots on target
Joël Piroe to commit 1+ fouls
Trai Hume to commit 2+ fouls
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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