We look at the tactics, performances and key strengths of the promoted clubs after their first three matches
Football writer Adrian Clarke takes a closer look at what the promoted sides are doing well after the first three Matchweeks.
Burnley, Sunderland, and Leeds United all have reasons to feel cheerful after making promising starts to the 2025/26 campaign.
After two rounds of matches they had each claimed their first victories, and after coming up from the Championship they should feel empowered by how competitive their performance levels have been.
Burnley more dangerous than expected
Burnley scored 26 fewer Championship goals than Leeds in 2024/25, but they have begun this campaign with a little more attacking punch than anticipated, scoring four times.
Starting with a back five, Scott Parker’s side carried a threat on the opening weekend when attempting 14 shots in their 3-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
Since then, the Clarets have moved to a 4-2-3-1, deservedly scoring twice against both Sunderland and Manchester United.
Midfield general Josh Cullen has been superb, creating six chances, with left winger Jaidon Anthony also a constant livewire, attempting six shots already.
The wide man has also converted two of three big chances received.
The influential duo of Cullen and Anthony assisted one another in Burnley’s 2-0 success at home to Sunderland, with some wonderful pieces of play.
Anthony’s backheel assist for Cullen v SunderlandCullen’s assist for Anthony v Sunderland
Averaging just 38.08 per cent of possession, Burnley have had to do a lot of defending, facing 51 shots, the most in the division.
Their 6.72 xGA is also the highest Expected Goals Against tally after three rounds of matches.
Parker will have to work hard on correcting those issues, but his side’s attacking endeavours will have given him and the players plenty of encouragement.
Burnley now know they can score goals at this level in a variety of ways, having done so from a long throw, a fast break, a right-wing cross and clever interplay on the edge of the box.
How Sunderland have impressed
With six points on the board already, big-spending Sunderland have got off to a flyer, winning both home matches at the Stadium of Light.
A sound tactical structure has been at the heart of the Black Cats’ success so far.
Playing in a 4-3-3 formation, they have been largely robust out of possession, with all 10 outfielders showing discipline and a willingness to work hard off the ball.
Winning 52.54 per cent of their duels, ranking fifth in the Premier League, they are performing with great determination.
While they may not have had the toughest fixtures to date, it remains impressive that Sunderland have faced the second-fewest shots of all 20 sides in the division.
Fewest shots faced in Premier League 2025/26
Their Expected Goals Against figure is only bettered by three teams, all of which finished in the top five last season.
Lowest xGA in Premier League 2025/26
On the ball, Sunderland’s tactical framework is built around feeding the ball into the box from the flanks.
Their two young box-to-box midfielders, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, funnel wide at regular intervals to create 2v1s or 3v2s, with lynchpin Granit Xhaka moving the ball towards the wings as a matter of course.
The attacking-thirds maps from Sunderland’s two home matches (see below) tell the story of a side that routinely move the ball wide.
Sunderland’s attacking areas v West HamSunderland’s attacking areas v Brentford
From those areas, they have delivered plenty of quality service into the area too, scoring a trio of headed goals.
Most headed goals Premier League 2025/26
Hitting the target five times from seven headed attempts, Sunderland are testing how well rival teams can defend crosses that are whipped in at pace.
Most headed shots on target Premier League 2025/26
Former Arsenal star Xhaka – who ranks third in the league for successful passes inside the opposition half – flighted a perfect one-touch ball into the box for Wilson Isidor to head home the winner against Brentford.
Xhaka’s assist for Isidor v BrentfordWatch highlights of Sunderland v Brentford
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris will also be delighted with how confidently his team have looked after the ball.
He has effectively built a new starting XI, but they have shown maturity in possession.
Remarkably, only three clubs have made more sequences of 10 or more passes so far.
Total 10+ pass sequences 2025/26
Sunderland are also playing with fire in their bellies too, crunching into 60 tackles (third most) and outrunning all three of their opponents.
They have scored all five of their Premier League goals until this point in the final half hour of games too, displaying a fierce desire to push hard until the end of matches,
In fact, only champions Liverpool have scored more second-half goals than Sunderland.
Despite jumping up a level, this youthful Black Cats side are showing no fear, with the class and experience of Xhaka anchoring them expertly in midfield.
There will be stiffer tests to come, but it has been a superb start to life back in the top-flight for Sunderland.
Leeds making Elland Road a fortress
Daniel Farke’s Leeds are yet to concede on home turf, and that solidity has given them a foundation to build upon in the coming weeks.
In a 4-3-3, their shape has been robust and well-drilled. This will delight their German head coach who has been criticised in the past for being too open in his approach.
A sure-fire sign that his organisation has been sound can be seen from the number of interceptions Leeds have made with 28, which ranks second in the league, and the low number of shots on target their new goalkeeper Lucas Perri has had to face.
Fewest shots on target faced in Premier League 2025/26
Yes, Arsenal scored from all five of their on-target efforts against them in Matchweek 2, but at Elland Road, Leeds have only had to deal with three attempts on target, all of which have been saved by Perri.
Fewest saves made in Premier League 2025/26
Leeds are showing they can tame well established top-flight sides extremely well, having restricted Everton and Newcastle United to expected goal (xG) tallies of 0.8 xG and 0.46 xG respectively,
Farke’s side Leeds are making teams work hard to fashion quality opportunities, by pressing them with aggression at the right times, but also by being sensible enough to retreat into a 4-5-1 when opponents have enjoyed settled possession.
The Expected Goals Against graphic from their two home games (see below) shows how well Leeds are keeping teams at arm’s length, with very few high xG chances faced.
Leeds’ xGA at Elland Road 2025/26
The fact Leeds are yet to score from open play is a concern of course, but their off-the-ball endeavours have been terrific.
When you consider Farke has not deployed the same midfield unit in consecutive matches yet, he will be delighted with the collective effort.