Leeds United will be keen to bounce back to winning ways when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Friday.
This Friday evening, Sunderland will play host to Leeds United at the Stadium of Light in a highly anticipated Championship clash. Both teams have their eyes set on a spot at the top of the Championship standings, with the Black Cats currently holding that position. However, Leeds can leapfrog them with a two-goal victory.
Sunderland have had a storming start to their second-tier campaign. But signs of potential cracks have begun to show after suffering back-to-back away losses. Despite those struggles on the road, Regis Le Bris’s side has been unstoppable at home. The Black Cats have posted four consecutive home victories without conceding a single goal, showing their resilience on familiar turf.
Their latest triumph came on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Derby County. Goals from rising star Jobe Bellingham and forward Wilson Isidor helped secure the win and maintain their position at the top of the table. Sunderland’s attack has been prolific this season, being the division’s top goalscorers with 16 goals to their name.
However, what is interesting is the team’s goal distribution, with Romaine Mundle being the top scorer with just three goals, while 10 different players have found the back of the net for the Black Cats.
Although Le Bris may prefer to have a standout number nine leading the line, the team’s collective contributions in the final third provide reassurance that the goals can come from various players on the pitch.
On the other hand, Leeds United have had a somewhat inconsistent campaign in 2024/25. Although Daniel Farke’s side has only suffered one defeat in eight league outings — to Burnley — they have also dropped points in the form of three draws. Still, four wins and four clean sheets indicate that Leeds have a solid foundation at the back, which will be essential in Friday’s game against Sunderland.
Leeds are coming off a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Norwich City, where they came from behind to secure a point. The result suggests that Leeds are becoming more cohesive as a unit, having collected 13 points from their last six games. Despite being in fourth place, Farke’s team can close the gap at the top with a strong performance in this fixture.
Much like Sunderland, Leeds have struggled to find a consistent goal scorer this season. Joel Piroe, with three goals, leads their scoring charts, but the Yorkshire side has shown that they can grind out results and remain defensively resolute when needed. The Hard Tackle explores the possible lineups and strategies for this much-awaited match.
Team News & Tactics
Sunderland
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris is expected to field an unchanged starting XI from their recent 2-0 victory over Derby County, given the convenience of back-to-back home fixtures. The squad is boosted by a relatively fit lineup, though Ian Poveda, who was introduced in the final stages of the Derby match, has been ruled out with a muscle problem and will not return until after the international break.
Alan Browne, another late substitute in the last match, could be an option for fresh legs in midfield should Le Bris opt for any alterations.
In Sunderland’s probable 4-3-3 setup, Anthony Patterson will start in goal, with Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O’Nien, and Dennis Cirkin forming the back four. In midfield, the trio of Chris Rigg, Dan Neil, and Jobe Bellingham will operate, while Patrick Roberts and Wilson Isidor will provide the width in attack, flanking forward Romaine Mundle at the top of the formation.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Isidor, Mundle
Leeds United
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke faces some selection headaches in midfield after Ilia Gruev sustained a knee injury in the early stages of the draw against Norwich City. With Ethan Ampadu also out until 2025, Farke will likely hand Joe Rothwell his first Championship start of the season to fill the gap in midfield.
As for the offensive department, both Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford could be considered if Mateo Joseph is rested, as the young striker has now gone four games without finding the back of the net.
In Leeds United’s expected 4-2-3-1 formation, Illan Meslier will continue in goal, with Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Junior Firpo forming the defensive backline.
Joe Rothwell will likely partner Ao Tanaka in the double pivot, while Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, and Largie Ramazani will provide attacking support behind the lone forward, who is likely to be Mateo Joseph unless a change is made upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Joseph
Key Stats
- Sunderland won 1-0 against Leeds United at the Stadium of Light last season, marking their first home win over the Whites since December 1963.
- Since beating Sunderland 3-2 on Boxing Day 2004, Leeds have only scored three goals in their last seven games against the Black Cats across all competitions (W1 D2 L4), and they have failed to score in both meetings in the 2023-24 season.
- Sunderland have won six of their first eight Championship matches this season (L2), their best record at this stage of a second-tier campaign since 1963-64, when they finished 2nd and earned promotion.
- Largie Ramazani has contributed to at least one goal in all three of his Championship starts for Leeds United this season, with 2 goals and 1 assist, including scoring in both his away starts at Cardiff and Norwich.
- Leeds have won four of their last six league games played on a Friday (D1 L1), with their one Friday game this season resulting in a 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday. Their last Friday game against Sunderland was a 1-0 defeat in September 2004 at Elland Road.
Player to Watch
Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto has been one of Leeds United’s standout players, showing immense pace, creativity, and technical ability in attack. His versatility allows him to operate in various attacking positions, making him a constant threat to opposition defences.
Gnonto’s ability to take on defenders one-on-one, combined with his eye for a crucial pass or shot, makes him a key figure in this encounter. His agility and quick decision-making in the final third could unlock Sunderland’s defence and create the opportunities Leeds need to break through. Keep an eye on Gnonto, as his influence will be pivotal for Leeds to gain a result away from home.
Prediction
Sunderland 2-1 Leeds United
Considering Sunderland’s flawless home record and Leeds United’s defensive resilience, this clash is expected to be a highly competitive one. Sunderland’s varied goal threats may give them the edge.
However, Leeds’s ability to keep clean sheets and hit on the counter should not be overlooked. But the Championship leaders have the momentum, and given Leeds’s ability to switch off, the Black Cats should come away with all three points on the night. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Regis Le Bris and his charges.
