Sunderland prepares to face Leeds United as tactical battle looms

On July 31, Sunderland will meet Leeds United in a fixture that revives a historic rivalry highlighted by the 1973 FA Cup Final. Leeds manager Daniel Farke employs a possession-heavy approach, alternating between 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 and back-three shapes, with full-backs or wing-backs pushing high while a deeper midfielder drops into the back line. The team then contracts into a disciplined 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 to choke central spaces, using wingers to drift inside and create crossing opportunities.

Sunderland have collected four points from Leeds this season and boast a positive head-to-head record over the last six league games. Important Leeds figures include captain Ethan Ampadu, Wilfried Gnonto and prolific striker Joel Piroe, who netted 24 goals across three seasons. Leeds enter the match after a five-goal defeat to Wrexham, while Sunderland look to extend their recent form. The game will be available for a fee on the SAFC website and broadcast on Premier Sports in the UK.