Leeds United travel up to Sunderland on Sunday looking to end 2025 on a real high after this winter’s resurgence under Daniel Farke.

United looked doomed for the drop as their form spiralled during the autumn, with a brutal run of games in November onwards ahead.

Instead, Daniel Farke has called upon some newfound proactive and pragmatic management to get an impressive eight points in the last four games. What’s more impressive is the opposition Leeds have played in that stretch.

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Leeds United team news pre-Sunderland: Lukas Nmecha has “small chance” of return

Farke’s pre-match press conference brought a positive update on Lukas Nmecha’s fitness. The German has been missing for the last three games with a hamstring problem, but was given a “small chance” to return at the Stadium of Light.

Dan James and Sean Longstaff remain absent through injury, now expected back in the new year at some stage, hopefully soon.

Leeds United’s Lukas Nmecha could return vs Sunderland. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

In terms of suspensions, Jayden Bogle and Ethan Ampadu (four bookings each) must avoid a caution vs Sunderland and Liverpool to clear the threshold.

Here, I look at the lineup I predict Farke will name to take on the Black Cats…

Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri

Lucas Perri has become a much more confident and imposing presence since the outfielders in front of him have raised their levels.

It’s wild to think how much confidence can play a part in a goalkeeper’s form. Perri doesn’t look like shanking every kick into touch, he’s finding channels and the forwards’ heads with a lot more passes, and doesn’t look shaky from crosses. Yes, he gave a penalty away vs Palace, but was caught short badly by his defence.

Leeds United’s Lucas Perri is set to start in goal. (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

I’m glad I stuck by him during a noticeable rough patch, because there’s clearly a good Premier League ‘keeper there.

Consistency is key now. Let’s hope he’s got another strong showing in him to end the year well.

Another thing I really like about him: he gets it, and that goes a long way.

Defence: Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson

The defence is sure to remain unchanged after another outing with real intensity and front-foot aggression to snuff out the Palace attackers.

What caught everyone’s eye the most was centre-back Joe Rodon flying down the right wing to join Jayden Bogle in almost every attack in the first half. Farke pinned that tactical decision down to Leeds shifting into a four-back formation in possession, and reverting to a five-back when we lost the ball. I don’t think we should expect Rodon on the right stinger every week, but it’s a niche that Farke has found that could be explored further.

Leeds United’s Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon expected to start vs Sunderland. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)

I’ll tell you what, I’d hate to be a left-back that sees the 6ft4in Welsh Wall marauding down my wing.

Jaka Bijol remains imperious in the middle of the centre-back trio, with Pascal Struijk making up the setup at the back.

Gabriel Gudmundsson’s intensity out wide on the left remains a crucial component to United’s buildup.

Midfield: Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach

The one change I’d expect is Ao Tanaka coming back into the side for Brenden Aaronson.

To be fair, after Aaronson’s performance against Palace, I’d happily see him stay put on the right side of midfield. The issue is we’ve said this before after good Aaronson performances, and his issue is he’s not following them up with back-to-back displays of that calibre.

Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka could return to the lineup against Sunderland. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)

Sunderland’s midfield is weakened by AFCON so they’re missing Noah Sadiki’s relentlessness, among others. But, Leeds’ best midfield performances this season have come when it’s Tanaka alongside Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu.

I wouldn’t mind Aaronson, but Tanaka’s class on the ball in all phases of play is something we might need in what’s going to be a very difficult away day.

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor

Up front, I think it’s fairly clear who’s going to start.

Nmecha being back in the squad would be a great boost. That said, we need to manage his fitness so carefully, just like the red-hot Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Six goals in five games is remarkable for Calvert-Lewin. Although, I’m not that surprised given we’re finally playing to his strengths. That is crossing the ball into the box at will, and going direct constantly.

Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring his sixth goal in five games. (Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough)

It’s funny how much praise he’s now getting. Because, his overall play has been this good all season, he’s just now finally getting his reward with good finishing at the end of it.

Because Nmecha is still doubtful, Noah Okafor keeps his place. The left-winger was lively at Brentford and deserved a goal for his efforts. But, he also must to find consistency to nail his place.

Okafor and his two brothers have recently started a YouTube channel detailing behind the scenes of all three’s lives. What intrigued me was Noah’s brother Isaiah reflecting on Okafor’s game against Liverpool. Isaiah noted his concern that the Leeds man starts brightly, but tails off significantly as games go on. It’s something we’ve all seen and it’ll be interesting to see how the Swiss international rectifies it.

Full Leeds United predicted XI to face Sunderland:

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