Leeds United take on Sunderland just after Christmas looking to round of 2025 in perfect fashion, but face one of the league’s incredible surprise packages.

When Sunderland scraped their way through the playoffs, not many would have expected what’s followed since. However, if you’ve been keeping an eye on their business under chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, you’ll have seen this remarkable improvement coming.

They sit sixth over Christmas after a stunning return to the Premier League, taking a lot of the gloss off Leeds’ six-point gap to the bottom three.

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Team news confirmed: Leeds United face tough trip up to Sunderland on December 28th

As Leeds rest up on Christmas Day tomorrow, so will Sunderland’s squad under Regis Le Bris. Both sides won’t be on the training ground as they prepare for a meeting on the 28th, while some of the Black Cats squad were seen at Ally Pally on Sunday for the World Darts Championship.

In terms of team news for both sides, it’s largely as you were from the weekend. For Leeds, that means Dan James and Newcastle-born Sean Longstaff won’t be present. But, there’s a “small chance” Lukas Nmecha is fit enough to travel.

Leeds United striker Lukas Nmecha could feature vs Sunderland. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)

While Sunderland don’t have any fresh setbacks, they are the side most affected by the AFCON callups, losing six players: Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Bertrand Traore, Chemsedine Talbi, and Arthur Masuaku.

It means both sides won’t be at full strength. But, we will both importantly have an eight-day break between games after our win at home to Crystal Palace and their draw against Brighton.

Regis Le Bris details Sunderland advantage over Leeds United ahead of festive clash

Leeds are obviously under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough fixture on Wearside. The Black Cats sit sixth in the table as things stand.

Importantly, 18 of Sunderland’s 27 points have come on home turf at the Stadium of Light, including their 1-0 derby win over Newcastle United last time out.

Sunderland have demonstrated incredible form while playing at home under Regis Le Bris. (REUTERS/Scott Heppell)

For Regis Le Bris, he believes home advantage could play a significant part in Sunderland’s chances against Leeds.

“I like playing against them, to be fair,” he told the Sunderlsnd Echo. “They are intensive, proactive, so it’s always a good and exciting game. Intensity and the need to defend set pieces are non negotiable. So it’s another challenge at home but we are looking forward to it.

“We feel our fans at home and the opponents can feel the challenge. They can feel we are strong at home.”

Leeds United have huge test on their hands to pick up result vs Sunderland away

Like many fans are thinking “oh god, it’s Leeds away this week”, the same should be said of Sunderland.

They’ve proven to be brilliant at home and have been a breath of fresh air that the Premier League has needed for the past few years.

As a result, it makes our challenge of coming away with anything much more difficult. You’d surely take a point at the Stadium of Light right now.

A draw would take us to 20 for the season heading into the new year, which is a serious return already under Farke.

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