Matches featuring Sunderland and Durham have always carried a certain edge, but beyond the emotional and geographical narratives lies some far more interesting questions.
How do Sunderland actually beat them? How does this fixture shape up tactically this season, and where can the Lasses find the spaces, the mismatches and the moments that can tilt the game in their favour?
Durham have long been known for their physicality, organisation and ability to make games scrappy, uncomfortable and narrow. Sunderland,
by contrast, are still trying to grow into their identity. They’ve shown flashes of improvement since the turn of the year but inconsistency has been their defining trait.
This match, therefore, is a fascinating tactical puzzle. Sunderland have the tools to hurt Durham, but only if they use them with clarity, bravery and precision.
To understand how the Lasses can approach this game, we need to break down what Durham are — and what they aren’t — and how Sunderland’s strengths can be leveraged against them.
Durham’s identity has barely shifted over the years.
They remain one of the most physically imposing sides in the league; a team that thrives on duels, second balls and territorial pressure. They aren’t a possession-heavy side and nor do they seek to dominate the ball for long stretches. Instead, they aim to disrupt rhythm, force mistakes and create chaos in the middle third. Their defensive structure is compact; their lines are close together and they’re exceptionally good at preventing teams from playing through them.
This is where Sunderland must be clever.
Trying to beat Durham at their own game is rarely successful and trying to outmuscle them is a trap many teams fall into. Sunderland’s route to success lies not in matching Durham’s strengths but in exploiting their weaknesses — particularly in transition — in wide areas and in moments where Durham’s defensive line becomes stretched.
One of the most important aspects of this fixture is tempo.
Durham want the game to be slow, bitty and fragmented — and Sunderland must resist that. When the Lasses play with speed, moving the ball quickly through midfield and switching play decisively, they become a far more dangerous side. The key is to avoid getting bogged down in the central channels where Durham thrive; instead, Sunderland should look to create overloads in wide area — particularly on the right hand side, where they’ve shown more fluidity this season.
Durham’s full backs are committed defensively but can be exposed when isolated. They’re strong in one-on-one duels but less comfortable when forced to defend space rather than bodies.
Sunderland’s wingers and overlapping full backs can exploit this by dragging Durham’s defensive shape horizontally. The more Durham are forced to shuffle, the more the gaps will appear between their centre backs and full backs — and Sunderland’s forwards must be ready to attack those half-spaces with conviction.
Another key area is the midfield, with Durham being combative, disciplined and relentless.
They press aggressively in short bursts, and particularly when the ball is loose or when an opponent receives possession with their back to goal.
Sunderland must avoid being caught in those traps. The midfielders need to play on the half-turn, receive the ball when facing forward and release it before Durham can engage physically. This is where Sunderland’s recent improvements in ball circulation become crucial. Since the turn of the year, the Lasses have shown more composure in possession, more willingness to recycle the ball and more patience in their build up.
That patience will be essential here, but patience alone isn’t enough, and Sunderland must also be brave.
Too often this season, they’ve played within themselves, choosing the safe pass rather than the incisive one. Against Durham, bravery is rewarded. Their defensive line is strong but not particularly quick, and a well-timed through ball, diagonal switch or a direct run in behind can unsettle them. Sunderland’s forwards must be willing to stretch the pitch vertically — even if they don’t receive the ball every time — as the threat alone forces Durham to drop deeper, creating more space between their lines.
Set pieces will also play a significant role.
Offensively and defensively, Durham are historically strong from dead ball situations, but Sunderland have improved in this area, with their deliveries becoming more consistent, their routines more varied and their movement more coordinated.
Against a team like Durham, who defend set pieces with aggression and numbers, Sunderland must be clever rather than confrontational. Blocking runs, decoy movements and late arrivals at the back post can all create the small margins needed to convert.
Defensively, Sunderland must be alert to their opponent’s directness. They don’t overcomplicate their attacking play, instead choosing to look for knockdowns, second balls and moments of disorganisation. Therefore, Sunderland’s centre backs must communicate constantly, particularly when Durham play long.
The midfield must be ready to win the second phase, and the full backs must avoid being dragged too narrow. Durham’s wide players are dangerous when given space to deliver early crosses, so Sunderland must prevent those deliveries at source.
One of the most interesting tactical battles will be in transition.
Sunderland have become more dangerous on the counter attack this season, particularly when they win the ball in midfield and break quickly. In contrast, Durham, for all their strengths, can be vulnerable in these moments.
Their midfielders commit heavily to challenges, and when they miss, space opens up behind them. Sunderland must be ready to exploit those moments with speed and precision, and the first pass after the turnover is crucial. If it’s sharp and forward-facing, Sunderland can break through Durham’s shape before it resets. However, if it’s slow or played sideways, the opportunity will disappear.
Another factor to consider is game management.
Durham are experts at disrupting rhythm, slowing the game down, drawing fouls, contesting every decision and making the match feel disjointed. Sunderland mustn’t get drawn into that and emotional control will be as important as tactical control. If Sunderland allow frustration to creep in, Durham will gain the upper hand. The Lasses must stay focused, disciplined and committed to their game plan — even when the match becomes scrappy.
The psychological aspect can’t be ignored, either.
Sunderland have been inconsistent this season, but they’ve shown signs of growth since January. Their performances have become more cohesive, their structure more defined and their confidence more visible. This match is an opportunity to build on that progress.
Beating Durham isn’t just about three points — it’s about proving to themselves that they can impose their identity on a difficult opponent, showing that the improvements they’ve made aren’t fleeting, and taking a step towards becoming the team they believe they can be.
Durham, meanwhile, will approach this match with their usual resilience.
They know how to make games uncomfortable, to frustrate opponents and to turn matches into battles. Sunderland must be ready for that. They must be ready to fight, but they must also be ready to play. The balance between those two elements will define the match.
One of the most intriguing tactical questions is how Sunderland set up their midfield.
A ‘double pivot’ offers stability against Durham’s physicality, but a more advanced midfielder could exploit the spaces Durham leave when they press. Sunderland must decide whether to prioritise control or creativity — and the answer may lie in flexibility. A midfielder who can drop deep to help build play but also push forward to support the attack could be the key to unlocking Durham’s shape.
The wide areas will be equally important, and Sunderland’s wingers must be direct, confident and willing to take risks.
Durham’s defensive structure is difficult to break down through the middle, so Sunderland must stretch the pitch. Early crosses, cut backs and diagonal runs can all create opportunities. The full backs must support these movements, but they must also be cautious. Durham are dangerous on the counter, and overcommitting could leave Sunderland exposed.
In the final third, the Lasses must be clinical.
Durham don’t concede many chances, so when opportunities arise, they must be taken. Sunderland’s forwards must be sharp, decisive and composed. They must anticipate rebounds, react quickly to loose balls and make intelligent runs. The margins in this match will be small, and Sunderland can’t afford to waste them.
As the match progresses, substitutions will play a crucial role.
Fresh legs in midfield can help maintain intensity; a pacy winger can exploit tired defenders and a physical forward could disrupt Durham’s centre backs. Sunderland must use their bench strategically, not reactively. The timing of changes can shift momentum and Sunderland must be proactive in managing the flow of the game.
Ultimately, the Lasses can hurt Durham by being the best version of themselves. They must play with tempo, bravery and intelligence. They must exploit the wide areas, win the midfield battles and remain disciplined defensively. They must avoid being dragged into Durham’s gameplan and instead impose their own.
This match isn’t just a tactical challenge — it’s a test of identity.
Sunderland have been trying to grow, to find consistency and to become the team they know they can be. Beating Durham would be a statement of that growth, showing that the improvements since the turn of the year are genuine. It would show that Sunderland can win — not just through effort, but through clarity, structure and belief.
Durham will not make it easy.
They never do, but Sunderland have the tools, the talent and the tactical pathways to hurt them. The question is whether they can execute. The answer will define not only the match, but perhaps the trajectory of their season.
