Sunderland welcome Leeds United to the Stadium of Light with both teams heading into a busy stretch of fixtures and with their league positions giving the game an added edge. Sunderland have been one of the season’s standout stories since promotion, while Leeds arrive knowing every point matters as they try to keep clear of the bottom three.
Sunderland’s last match in any competition was a 0–0 draw away at Brighton. It was a result that underlined their organisation and resilience, even if they didn’t quite find the cutting edge to turn a good away day into three points. Leeds’ last match was emphatic: a 4–1 home win over Crystal Palace, a performance powered by a ruthless set-piece threat and a front line playing with real confidence.
Looking at league form over the last six matches, Sunderland’s run reads like a team that is tough to beat and generally competitive in every game: two wins, two draws and two defeats. It includes a statement derby win over Newcastle and a battling draw at Liverpool, while their losses came against strong opponents and were decided by moments rather than collapses. Leeds’ last six shows a clear upturn after a difficult spell: two wins, three draws and one defeat. They’ve taken points off big sides at home and have started to look more stable, even if away results remain the area they’ll want to improve.
The team news picture is clearer for Leeds. Manager Daniel Farke has confirmed Daniel James and Sean Longstaffremain out, while Lukas Nmecha has been working towards a return and could be in the frame again depending on how he comes through training. For Sunderland, Régis Le Bris has generally kept his updates tight, and there were no obvious fresh issues coming out of the goalless draw at Brighton — but, as with most sides at this stage of the calendar, late checks are expected for players managing knocks and fatigue.
There are also several clear “in-form” names to watch. For Sunderland, the platform has been their collective shape and energy, with Robin Roefs providing security behind a back line that’s grown in confidence, and Omar Alderete a threat at both ends. In attack and between the lines, Sunderland’s best moments have tended to come when they can play with tempo and use runners like Wilson Isidor to stretch games. Leeds, meanwhile, arrive with a striker in rhythm: Dominic Calvert-Lewin is scoring regularly and leads the line with real presence. Set pieces have become a major weapon too, with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach offering delivery, physicality and goals from dead-ball situations.
Tactically, it shapes up as an interesting clash of styles. Sunderland at home will want to set the tone with intensity and front-foot play, using the crowd to push the pace and keep Leeds pinned. Leeds are likely to be comfortable absorbing pressure in spells and then striking with direct runs and set-piece threat — especially if the game becomes stretched or scrappy. The midfield battle feels central: if Sunderland can control second balls and keep Leeds away from long-throw and dead-ball pressure, they give themselves a strong chance of dictating the contest.
With the festive schedule squeezing recovery time, this one may come down to detail: how well each side manages key moments, how disciplined they stay out of possession, and who takes their chances when the openings appear. Sunderland will see it as another chance to underline how far they’ve come; Leeds will view it as an opportunity to turn a promising run into something more secure.
