Prior to the international break, hosts Leeds United surged into the top six on the back of three straight wins - the last of which came away at fellow high-flyers Norwich City.

Benitez's charges, meanwhile, are unbeaten in the Championship since mid-September, and will record an eighth league victory in a row should they overcome the Whites.

The Spaniard believes his players will be relishing Sunday's occasion, Leeds having sold out their home of 97 years for the first time in six seasons.

"They are doing well, we are doing well, there will be a lot of fans in the stadium and I think it will be a massive game for everyone," he said. "It is the kind of game you want to play in and you want to win.

"They are in form, like us, and it will be very tough. I think it will be an interesting game."

Benitez crossed paths with Leeds boss Garry Monk during the 2013-14 campaign, as his Napoli side overcame Monk's Swansea City in the Europa League.

The 37-year-old's managerial accomplishments so far have impressed Benitez, who last visited Elland Road while in the hotseat at Chelsea four years ago.

"I think (Garry Monk) is doing really well," he said. "(At Napoli), we played against Swansea, and we beat them 3-1 in our stadium and drew 0-0 away. Both games were very difficult.

"I could see what he was doing there, and I can see what he is doing now. He is a good manager, a young manager and he is growing."

On the back of the final international break of the calendar year, Benitez was relieved to see his players return to Tyneside safe and sound earlier this week.

However, United have been dealt one injury blow ahead of Sunday's trip to Yorkshire, with winger Rolando Aarons having ruptured the ACL in his right knee during a midweek training session.

"The international break is always better when you have all of the players available, but I have to say, I was really disappointed because of the injury to Rolando," Benitez said. "It was the first full training session with the group, he was doing well, and it was a kick to his knee. It is really bad luck.

"You try to control the injuries, but in this case you can do nothing. It was a player coming back after some time, and he was working so hard to be ready. I was talking with him later on, and he has the support of all of the medical staff and his teammates.

"Now he has to just concentrate on doing what he has to do. He will need an operation, but after that he will do proper rehabilitation, work very hard and come back stronger."

Supporters from both clubs will be paying tribute to Gary Speed on Sunday, almost five years on from the popular midfielder's passing.

The Welshman spent eight years at Elland Road, arriving on Tyneside in 1998 via a short spell at Everton.

"(The supporters) will know better than me, because I was at another club, but I think it is a situation everybody can understand," Benitez said. "He was a good player for both clubs, a big name, and he was someone who had the respect of everyone."