The festive fixtures are coming thick and fast for in-form Leeds United, whose next challenge sees them travel to fellow promoted side Sunderland for the club’s final game of 2025. The Whites have enjoyed an outstanding December, with Daniel Farke producing nothing short of a Christmas miracle with eight points from four games, including last week’s 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace. Here is our Leeds United predicted lineup vs Sunderland.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup vs Sunderland – Can Whites Go Five Games Unbeaten?
How Leeds Have Lined Up Recently
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri was denied a third clean sheet of the campaign against the Eagles by a late Justin Devenny penalty, but did showcase his shot-stopping quality with an important save in the first half. In front of him, Leeds’ gigantic back three of Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Jaka Bijol formed a formidable wall in front of the United net and were largely untroubled by Palace’s forwards throughout the game.
At wing-back, both Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson remain indispensable, although the congested fixture list around the New Year may open the door for summer signing James Justin to play a more significant role. The full-back cost Leeds £10 million, but has played just 167 minutes across nine appearances this campaign.
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In midfield, Ethan Ampadu was joined by Anton Stach and the more creative Brenden Aaronson, with the American’s versatility allowing Farke to rotate between a 3-5-2 and a 3-4-3 system throughout the game. Captain Ampadu was a class apart, running the Palace midfield ragged, launching booming long throws into the box, and even scoring his first-ever Premier League goal in 41 top-flight appearances.
Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his red-hot form with a brace against Oliver Glasner’s side, meaning the England striker has now scored six goals in his last five games. The big striker was partnered by Noah Okafor, whose pace and penetration make him a real danger on the counter-attack.
Leeds Recent Form and Tactics
Farke showcased his tactical versatility against Palace, selecting a side that could comfortably lineup in either a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 system, allowing his men to change shape based on the game situation. This was epitomised by Aaronson, who switched from a central midfielder to a right-winger throughout the match, whilst Okafor rotated between centre-forward and left wing, making life extremely difficult for the Palace defence.
Another tactical battle that Leeds won against the Eagles was set pieces. All four of the Whites’ goals came from dead-ball situations, with two coming directly from Ampadu’s impressive long throws.
Fellow midfielder Stach also highlighted his value from set pieces, with the German causing all kinds of problems with his wicked corner delivery throughout the game, before crashing in his second direct free-kick of the season in the dying seconds.
Leeds Absences to Consider
In his pre-match press conference, Farke said that both Sean Longstaff and Daniel James have “no chance” of being involved against the Black Cats.
However, there is a possibility that Lukas Nmecha will return to the side, although the striker has only just returned to team training, so he may feature from the bench.
Leeds Predicted Lineup
GK: Lucas Perri
CB: Joe Rodon
CB: Jaka Bijol
CB: Pascal Struijk
RWB: Jayden Bogle
LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
CM: Ethan Ampadu
CM: Ao Tanaka
CM: Anton Stach
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
ST: Noah Okafor
Featured Image Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
