Sunderland vs Leeds prediction, H2H and probable lineups - December 28, 2025
One of the headline fixtures of Premier League Matchday 18 will take place on Sunday at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, where the local side hosts Leeds United. Let’s dive into the possible outcomes of this evenly matched yet intriguing clash, taking into account both teams’ recent forms and their ambitions in the table.
Match preview
Sunderland, led by Régis Le Bris, are lighting up the season, firmly entrenched in the European qualification spots. The team has collected 27 points and remains unbeaten at home, racking up five wins and three draws from eight matches. The passionate home crowd and a disciplined backline have been the foundation of the Black Cats’ impressive consistency.
However, squad depth is being tested, with several players away on Africa Cup of Nations duty. Six players have departed for their national teams, three of whom were regular starters. Their first outing with a depleted squad ended in a goalless draw against Brighton (0-0), and with a congested fixture list, fatigue or a drop in tempo could become an issue—especially late in games.
Leeds, meanwhile, have found a new lease on life after a sluggish start and are now playing vibrant, attacking football. Wins over Chelsea (3-1) and Crystal Palace (4-1), along with draws against Liverpool and Brentford, signal real progress under Daniel Farke. The main attacking threat in recent weeks has been Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored in five consecutive matches.
While Leeds also have a few injury concerns, they haven’t been hit by AFCON absences and are arguably playing their best football of the season. Historically, the club has rarely lost to Sunderland in recent head-to-heads, albeit mostly in the Championship. It’s tough to call who holds the edge here, but the Peacocks are on the rise and will pose a real threat even away from home.
Probable lineups
- Sunderland: Ruufs, Hume, Alderete, Ballard, Mukiele, Geertruida, Xhaka, Le Fée, Adingra, Rigg, Brobbey
- Leeds: Perry, Struijk, Bijol, Rodon, Ampadu, Gruyev, Stach, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
Match facts and head-to-head
- Sunderland are unbeaten at home in the current Premier League season.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in five straight matches for Leeds.
- Five of Leeds’ last seven matches have featured at least four goals.
Prediction
Both teams bring distinct strengths to the table: Sunderland are rock-solid at home but weakened by absences, while Leeds arrive at full strength and in excellent form. Expect an open contest with goals at both ends. A draw looks like a very real possibility.
