Can Sunderland’s recent success against Leeds continue, or will Daniel Farke’s tactical approach prove too much in another chapter of this historic rivalry?
Leeds United, under manager Daniel Farke, primarily favour a possession-based setup, shifting fluidly between a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 shape and a back-three structure (such as a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2), depending on the phase of play and the personnel available.
Farke typically builds up in a 3-1 or 3-4 shape, where one of the deeper central midfielders (such
as captain Ethan Ampadu) drops into the defensive line to allow the full-backs or wing-backs to push high up the pitch.
The team then shifts into a more compact defensive block, often resembling a 5-4-1 or a disciplined 4-5-1, to shut down space through the middle.
Wingers or wide players are instructed to drift inside into narrow half-spaces to overload central channels, creating room for overlapping full-backs or wing-backs to supply crosses from wide areas.
A holding midfield pair are tasked with recycling possession and shielding the central defenders, while an advanced playmaker or mobile forward operates between midfield and the main striker to press and link play. A central target or focal point is then supported by narrow, high-energy wide attackers.
The Black Cats took four points off Leeds during the 2025/26 campaign and have a positive record against the Whites over the last three seasons, recording two wins, three draws and one defeat in their last six league meetings.
A key chapter in this historic rivalry remains the 1973 FA Cup Final, when Second Division Sunderland defeated First Division champions Leeds United at the old Wembley Stadium in a match that is permanently etched into Sunderland folklore – a story that has been passed down through generations for more than half a century.
In this match, it will be important that the Lads keep a close eye on Leeds United regulars such as Ethan Ampadu, Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe.
Piroe, who found the net just once against Sunderland during the previous campaign, has scored 24 goals over the last three seasons for Leeds and remains a major attacking threat.
The West Yorkshire side come into this game on the back of a defeat to Championship side Wrexham in a five-goal thriller that saw Leeds concede late. You would imagine that will feature in the next season of the Welsh club’s documentary.
Sunderland face Leeds United at 00:30 BST on 31 July. The match will be streamed live for a fee on the official SAFC website and will also be shown on Premier Sports in the UK.
