Leeds United fans form rare complete agreement for Sunderland clash

Leeds United return from a rare Christmas week off with Sunday’s trip to Sunderland – but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury had to say including a rare clean sweep of draw forecasts on the predictions front, a “karma” payback hope and ‘sooner or later’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin warning.

As November drew to a close, the first four games in December looked a daunting prospect with most supporters expecting two points maximum and maybe hoping for four.

So, the eight-point unbeaten return was both welcome and unexpected.

Credit to Daniel Farke for formation and tactical changes unseen before and credit to the players for adapting and embracing change. Who would have foreseen the Joe Rodon role against Palace?

And credit the support – at Elland Road under the lights it’s been incredible and has, undoubtedly, impacted results.

So, Leeds take this form and confidence to Sunderland where it is a good time to play the Black Cats as they deal with the loss of players to AFCON.

Leeds certainly have an element of surprise in their gameplan now which is impacting the small margins in their favour, as is the threat from set-pieces with so many tall players causing issues for the opposition.

Leeds are capable of achieving at least a draw from this game, given recent form, although, unlike the first four months of the season, we have no idea on formation and tactics!

Prediction: Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1.

With another three points on the board, the table on Christmas Day looked a lot better than it might have done for Daniel Farke and Leeds.

His decision to change formation at Manchester City was one that has helped his side win eight points since.

However, the games don’t get any easier and the Whites will need to produce another top performance at Sunderland.

The Black Cats’ form isn’t what it was at the start of the season and, although some of their key players are away at AFCON, they are still a useful side.

Sooner or later, an opposing team will work out how to stop Leeds getting the ball to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the six-yard box but, with long throws and genuinely dangerous corner kicks, the Whites continue to be a serious threat.

Leeds are in a very handy position in the table but further points on the board, combined with results elsewhere, could begin to cut teams below them further adrift.

Prediction: Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1.

If we are ever to believe there is such a thing as football karma, then victory at the Stadium of Light this weekend might just convince us!

Last season, Leeds were cruising to what would have been a season-defining win at Sunderland, one of our chief rivals for promotion at the time, but we were cruelly robbed of a couple of points in the final moments of that game, so now is the time for a bit of karma!

Sunderland have been the surprise of the season, putting together a new squad over the summer, then hitting the road running from day one.

They currently sit sixth in the table, 11 places above Leeds, but are they really that much better than the Peacocks?

Closer inspection shows that the lucky Black Cats have won only two more games than Leeds and have scored five fewer goals!

Okay, their defensive record is superb; 17 goals conceded compared to the 31 Leeds have shipped. It’s that defensive record that threatens to derail our season if we can’t improve it.

I’m hoping our recent fine performances continue up in the north east, but I’ll be perfectly happy if that means returning to Yorkshire with a point.

Prediction: Sunderland 2 Leeds United 2.

Leeds received some well-deserved praise for their 4-1 win over Crystal Palace and it seems that they are enjoying playing in this formation that started at Manchester City.

The thing is, it’s adaptable and, in recent games, they have ‘tweaked’ it during games and have the points on the board to prove it works.

By the time we play Sunderland we will have had only one Premier League game to watch, if we wanted to.

Football used to have a full fixture list but it seems that might be a thing of the past. That’s a real shame.

Our opponents, Sunderland, have fared better than Leeds and Burnley and have a top-half place to prove it.

They bought well and the players they brought it have done well, especially Granit Xhaka in midfield.

Unfortunately for them, quite a few are away at the AFCON tournament so there might not be a better time to play them.

It probably will be the same starting XI that played against Palace.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin now has six goals in five games, the first striker since Mark Viduka in the early noughties to do it in the Premier League. He’s added goals to good performances.

Sunderland is a tough place to get a result. I think if Leeds can get a draw, it’s a good result.

Prediction: Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1.

After the wonderful Elland Road performance against Crystal Palace, our thoughts turn to a ‘short’ trip up to Sunderland.

The seeds of more promising away performances were sown at Manchester City and Brentford and Sunday’s fixture has the added attraction of being against a fellow promoted side.

You can be sure that despite their considerable progress, Daniel Farke will be keeping his team’s feet firmly on the ground for this clash.

Sunderland have grabbed all the headlines and taken all the plaudits whereas the Whites have taken longer to find their rhythm and style following promotion to the top flight.

Regis le Bris had a lot of money to spend and, by all accounts, he has spent it wisely.

Sunderland are a tough prospect to face on their own turf and are currently unbeaten at the Stadium of Light. The Whites will be aware of these facts but it should not scare them.

United have built up their own momentum and should be worth at least a draw.

Unusually for the time of the year, both sides will have had sufficient rest, so a mouth-watering clash awaits.

Prediction: Sunderland 2 Leeds United 2.