Sunderland v Leeds United preview: kick-off time, team news and form
Sunderland host Leeds United at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, kick-off 4.30pm, in a Premier League clash that both sides will see as a big opportunity given where they currently sit in the table.
It's a tough period for the Black Cats, who go into this one 20th in the Premier League, while Leeds sit much more comfortably in 8th. Sunderland's recent form in the league reads DLLLL, a run that has them bidding to end a sequence of four straight Premier League defeats, as the Sunderland Echo notes (Sunderland Echo). Leeds, by contrast, arrive on the back of DWDLD in the league, a mixed but more stable run that includes a win and three draws in their last five.
There has been a bit of positivity creeping back into the Sunderland camp this week. The Sunderland Echo's James Copley pointed to encouraging signs from the draw in Poland against Lech Poznan, with sharper attacking play and returning players offering hope ahead of this fixture (Sunderland Echo). Régis Le Bris has also given his verdict on the club's recent defensive struggles and highlighted improvement seen out in Poland, according to the Sunderland Echo (Sunderland Echo). Elsewhere, Sky Sports struck a similarly calm tone, reporting there are "no panic stations" at the club despite the difficult start compared to last season (Sky Sports).
Fans will also note the occasion off the pitch, with Sunderland players set to wear limited-edition shirts against Leeds celebrating 25 years of Foundation of Light, with proceeds supporting North East communities, as reported by the Northern Echo (Northern Echo).
On the pundit front, Jamie Carragher has predicted a five-goal thriller at the Stadium of Light and named his winner for the clash, per the Sunderland Echo (Sunderland Echo), while Chris Sutton has also offered his thoughts ahead of the game, drawing a Manchester United comparison as reported by the Sunderland Echo (Sunderland Echo).
Team news could play a big part in how this one goes. Chronicle Live reports that Leeds could be hit by a treble injury blow for the trip to Wearside, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Anton Stach all described as "major doubts" by their manager after missing recent action. The Sunderland Echo adds that Leeds are facing "late decisions" on that key trio before the weekend, while a wider injury round-up covering both squads notes two returning and four missing for the two sides combined, with six more rated as major doubts (Sunderland Echo). Sunderland's own team news has been the subject of some discussion too, with a predicted starting XI suggesting as many as five changes to Le Bris's side for this one (Sunderland Echo).
You can follow all the action from the Stadium of Light when Sunderland take on Leeds United this Sunday, with kick-off at 4.30pm UK time.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
