Leeds vs Sunderland Prediction and Starting Lineups: Best bets for tonight's Championship clash

We are now only moments away from tonight's huge Championship showdown between promotion rivals Leeds and Sunderland who lock horns at Elland Road within the hour, live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event at 8pm.

With both sides battling alongside Sheffield United and Burnley for the coveted automatic promotion spots, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Read on for our top betting tips and a look at the confirmed starting lineups.

Leeds are looking good in their bid to return to the Premier League after an absence of two seasons but they face a tricky test in the last match of the Championship programme this weekend as Sunderland visit Elland Road.

The Black Cats have not been beaten inside 90 minutes in their last nine matches, with an extra-time FA Cup defeat by Stoke being their only recent setback.

Regis Le Bris's team have drawn more matches than they would have wanted this season as 11 of their league games have ended with the scores level, but they have lost only four of their 32 Championship fixtures.

They emerged from the teams' first league meeting with a point, though not without drama as a 90th-minute own goal from Junior Firpo denied Leeds victory in a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light in October.

Sunderland have scored at least twice in their last four matches, including a creditable 3-2 win  at Middlesbrough, and they should give a good account of themselves against the leaders.

Leeds are flying and their midweek 4-0 romp at Watford means they have scored 18 times since they last conceded a league goal, although they were held to a goalless draw by title rivals Burnley in that time.

The Whites lost 2-0 at home to Millwall in their last home match, but manager Daniel Farke fielded a much-changed side for that FA Cup fixture and his team have put their best foot forward in the league.

Even so, the hosts look too short in the betting for this awkward fixture and Sunderland or Draw is an appealing option in the double-chance market.

Joel Piroe has been banging in the goals for Leeds but Sunderland also have an in-form marksman and Wilson Isidor could put the cat among the pigeons by scoring the first goal of the game at Elland Road.

Double-figure odds certainly are attractive for the French forward to score first, given he has netted in three of his last four appearances and now has six goals in his last 10 games.

Isidor's impressive performances have earned him a permanent deal with Sunderland after he first arrived on a season-long loan from Zenit St Petersburg and the 24-year-old looks a value bet to open the scoring on Monday.

Leeds vs Sunderland Starting Lineups

The starting lineups for Leeds vs Sunderland are now out and can be viewed in the graphic below.