Leeds United’s Starting XI for Sunderland Fixture
Leeds United is set to face fellow Premier League side Sunderland this evening in the second match of their pre-season tour in the US. The game will take place at the Sports Illustrated Stadium. Manager Daniel Farke has announced his starting lineup for the encounter against the Black Cats, which includes a debut for new signing Tarik Muharemović in a white shirt.
The team features Alex Cairns in goal, who also started in the previous match against Wrexham. The defensive line consists of Jayden Bogle, Sebastiaan Bornauw, captain Joe Rodon, Muharemović, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. In midfield, Sean Longstaff will partner with Ao Tanaka, while Callum Mills, at 17-year-old, retains his position after a strong performance in the last outing. Harry Wilson is also making his first start, linking up with forward Lukas Nmecha, who will lead the attack for United.
Substitutes for the match include goalkeepers Mahady and Ombang, along with outfield players Ampadu, James, Piroe, Stach, Justin, Gnonto, Crew, Chadwick, Cresswell, Lane, Lienou, and Pickles.
Tactical Approach and Recent History
Under manager Daniel Farke, Leeds United typically employs a possession-based style of play. Their formation is fluid, often transitioning between a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape and a back-three structure, such as a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, adapting to different phases of play and available personnel. Farke‘s strategy involves building up play in a 3-1 or 3-4 shape, where a deep central midfielder, like captain Ethan Ampadu, drops into the defensive line. This allows full-backs or wing-backs to advance high up the pitch.
Defensively, the team shifts into a compact block, frequently resembling a 5-4-1 or a disciplined 4-5-1, to restrict space in central areas. Wingers or wide players are instructed to move inside into narrow half-spaces, creating overloads in central channels and opening up room for overlapping full-backs or wing-backs to deliver crosses from wide positions. A holding midfield pair is responsible for recycling possession and protecting the central defenders. An advanced playmaker or mobile forward operates between the midfield and the main striker, tasked with pressing and linking play, while a central target or focal point is supported by narrow, high-energy wide attackers.
Sunderland has had a favorable record against Leeds in recent encounters, securing four points during the 2025/26 campaign. Over the last three seasons, Sunderland has recorded two wins, three draws, and one defeat in their last six league meetings against Leeds. A notable historical moment in this rivalry is the 1973 FA Cup Final, where Second Division Sunderland famously defeated First Division champions Leeds United at the old Wembley Stadium.
Key Players and Match Details
For Sunderland, it will be important to monitor key Leeds United players such as Ethan Ampadu, Wilfried Gnonto, and Joel Piroe. Piroe, despite scoring only once against Sunderland in the previous campaign, has netted 24 goals over the last three seasons for Leeds and remains a significant attacking threat. Leeds United enters this match following a defeat to Championship side Wrexham in a five-goal thriller where they conceded late.
The match will be streamed live for a fee on the official SAFC website and will also be broadcast on Premier Sports in the UK. Kick-off is scheduled for 00:30 BST on 31 July for viewers in the UK.
Source: leedsunited.com
Leo Ashworth is a Sports News Writer at Latest News UK. He cut his teeth on regional sport before specialising in fast breaking-news writing. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Newcastle, he follows the European Tour and boxes at an amateur gym. “Get it right first, then tell readers why it matters.”