Sunderland vs Leeds United Premier League | Predictions | Lineups | Key Stats & Betting Tips

Match Details	Information
Competition	Premier League – (England)
Round	18
Date & Time	2025-12-28, 15:00 – (Include timezone BST/GMT).
Stadium	Stadium of Light

Prediction –  Sunderland 1 – 1
Leeds United 

Recent
Form

As Sunderland prepares to host Leeds
United at the Stadium of Light, both teams come into the match with positive
momentum from their recent performances in the Premier League. Sunderland has
shown resilience and capability, particularly evident in their impressive 3-0
victory away at Manchester City. Their recent form includes a solid defensive
display against Brighton & Hove Albion, securing a goalless draw, and a
hard-fought 1-1 draw at Liverpool, showcasing their ability to compete
against top-tier teams. Additionally, home wins against Newcastle United and
AFC Bournemouth, with scores of 1-0 and 3-2 respectively, further underline
their competitive edge and confidence at home.

Leeds United, on the other hand, has displayed an attacking prowess that
has been particularly effective. Their recent 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace
highlights their offensive capabilities. A thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool
and a significant 3-1 victory over Chelsea at home demonstrate their
potential to score against strong defenses. Furthermore, Leeds managed an
impressive 3-2 away victory against Manchester City, underscoring their ability
to perform on the road against formidable opponents.

Both teams have shown they can compete with high-caliber opposition, making
this encounter particularly intriguing. Sunderland’s combination of solid
defensive performances and key victories at home will be tested against Leeds
United’s dynamic attack and recent scoring prowess. Without recent
head-to-head meetings to draw from, both teams will look to leverage their
current form to gain an advantage in this crucial Premier League
fixture.

Sunderland Last 5 League
Matches

Sunderland’s
recent performances in the Premier League have been a mix of resilience and
inconsistency, highlighted by their last five matches. Their goalless draw
against Brighton & Hove Albion showcased a solid defensive display,
managing to keep a clean sheet away from home despite limited possession.
This result was followed by a narrow 1-0 victory over rivals Newcastle
United, where Sunderland capitalized on their defensive solidity again,
although they were out-possessed and relied on tactical discipline and
clinical finishing in key moments to secure the win.

However, Sunderland’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City was a clear indication
of their vulnerabilities against high-caliber opposition. The match was
dominated by City, who controlled possession and created numerous chances,
exposing Sunderland’s struggles in maintaining defensive composure under
pressure. Despite this setback, Sunderland displayed commendable resilience
in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool, again emphasizing their ability to grind
out results against top-tier teams with limited ball possession and strong defensive
organization.

The 3-2 victory over AFC Bournemouth highlighted Sunderland’s attacking
potential, albeit at the cost of defensive lapses, as both teams were reduced
to 10 men. The match demonstrated Sunderland’s capacity to exploit
vulnerabilities in lesser defensive setups while also raising concerns about
their discipline and defensive solidity, given the high number of yellow
cards and the red card incident.

Sunderland’s current injury list, with several key players called up to
national duties, could impact their depth and flexibility, particularly in
defensive and midfield roles. Nevertheless, the predicted lineup features a
combination of experience and youthful exuberance, with players like Granit Xhaka
providing leadership in midfield and Brian Brobbey expected to lead the
attack. The presence of skilled defenders such as Nordi Mukiele and Dan
Ballard will be crucial in maintaining defensive stability. Sunderland’s
approach is likely to focus on a structured defensive setup, aiming to
capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities. Given their recent
performances, the team may prioritize maintaining compactness and discipline,
relying on their midfield’s ability to transition quickly and support Brobbey
in attack.

Leeds United Last 5 League
Matches

Leeds
United enters the upcoming Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light on
the back of a commendable run of form in their last five league matches. The
team has demonstrated resilience and attacking prowess, highlighted by a
notable victory against Manchester City, where they secured a 3-2 win despite
having only 38% possession. This ability to capitalize on limited
opportunities underscores their efficiency in front of goal, a trait they
will undoubtedly seek to exploit further. The team has shown a tendency to
perform well against top-tier teams, as evidenced by their 3-1 triumph over
Chelsea and the hard-fought 3-3 draw with Liverpool, showcasing their
capacity to compete at high levels despite possession deficits.

A key factor contributing to Leeds’ recent success is their balanced
approach in both attack and defense, with significant contributions from
players across the pitch. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor, likely
leading the attack based on the predicted lineup, have been pivotal in
converting chances into goals. Meanwhile, the midfield dynamism provided by
the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Ethan Ampadu ensures that Leeds can
transition swiftly from defense to attack, a critical component of their
strategy, especially against teams that dominate possession.

However, the team is not without its challenges. The absence of Lukas
Nmecha due to a hamstring injury could impact their attacking depth. His
versatility and ability to link play will be missed, potentially placing
additional pressure on the starting forwards to deliver. Defensively, while
Leeds have managed to maintain discipline with no red cards in recent
matches, they have been susceptible to conceding goals, as seen in their
high-scoring encounters against Liverpool and Manchester City.

The predicted lineup for Leeds suggests a continued reliance on a
structured defense and swift counter-attacks. The presence of experienced
defenders like Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon will be crucial against opponents
that dominate possession. Leeds’ recent ability to convert set pieces, indicated
by their effective use of corners and free kicks, may also play a significant
role in their strategy. Overall, Leeds United’s recent performances indicate
a team capable of executing a well-rounded game plan, emphasizing their
strengths in attack while seeking to tighten up their defensive
organization.

Team News &
Injuries

Sunderland Injuries
& Suspensions

• Arthur Masuaku (Called Up To
  National Team)
  Bertrand Traoré (Called Up To National Team)
  Chemsdine Talbi (Called Up To National Team)
  Habib Diarra (Called Up To National Team)
  Noah Sadiki (Called Up To National Team)
  Reinildo Mandava (Called Up To National
  Team)

Leeds United Injuries
& Suspensions

• Lukas
  Nmecha (Hamstring Injury)

Head-to-Head (H2H) Record
& Summary

H2H Last 5

H2H
Detailed Analysis

The head-to-head record
between Sunderland and Leeds United, as presented, is devoid of detailed
statistics such as goals scored, wins, or losses from their past encounters.
The absence of such data makes it challenging to draw concrete conclusions
about historical trends or dominance between the two clubs. However, the lack
of any recorded disciplinary actions, such as red or yellow cards, suggests
that past matches might have been played with a relatively sporting spirit.
Similarly, the equal distribution of set pieces like corners and free kicks
indicates balanced encounters, at least in terms of tactical execution. This
trend of equilibrium might suggest that neither team has had a significant
advantage over the other in recent meetings, which could set the stage for a
closely contested match.

Looking ahead to the upcoming clash at the Stadium of Light, both teams are
facing critical absences due to injuries and national team call-ups.
Sunderland is significantly affected by the loss of key players like Arthur
Masuaku and Bertrand Traoré, who are unavailable due to international duties.
This could weaken their defensive and midfield capabilities. On the other
hand, Leeds United has a comparatively lighter absentee list, with Lukas
Nmecha sidelined by a hamstring injury. The predicted lineups reflect
Sunderland’s reliance on a mix of defensive solidity and midfield creativity
to compensate for their missing players. Leeds United, meanwhile, seems set
to field a balanced lineup with a focus on midfield dynamism and attacking
prowess through Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor. These lineup changes
could influence the match dynamics, potentially shifting the balance in favor
of Leeds if Sunderland struggles to adapt to their depleted squad. This
situation presents an intriguing tactical battle that might disrupt the
previously balanced encounters, with both teams needing to leverage their
available strengths effectively.

Predicted
Lineups

• Formation:
  4-2-3-1
• Players: Robin Roefs (Goalkeeper), Dan Ballard
  (Defender), Omar Alderete (Defender), Nordi Mukiele (Defender), Trai Hume
  (Defender), Lutsharel Geertruida (Midfielder), Chris Rigg (Midfielder), Simon
  Adingra (Midfielder), Enzo Le Fée (Midfielder), Granit Xhaka 
  (Midfielder), Brian Brobbey (Attacker)

• Formation:
  3-5-2
• Players: Lucas Perri (Goalkeeper), Pascal Struijk
  (Defender), Joe Rodon (Defender), Jaka Bijol (Defender), Jayden Bogle (Midfielder),
  Gabriel Gudmundsson (Midfielder), Ethan Ampadu  (Midfielder), Brenden
  Aaronson (Midfielder), Anton Stach (Midfielder), Dominic Calvert-Lewin
  (Attacker), Noah Okafor (Attacker)