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Sunderland v Leeds team news: No Ballard, visitors unchanged

28 December 2025 242 comments
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Sunderland face Leeds United in the first of two Premier League matches to take place on Sunday.

Kick-off at the Stadium of Light is at 14:00 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Regis Le Bris makes just one change from last week’s goalless draw at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Dennis Cirkin earns his first start of the season, with Dan Ballard absent from the matchday squad due to injury.

This adjustment will likely see Nordi Mukiele move to centre-back, with Trai Hume, Omar Alderete and Cirkin joining him in the back four.

Further forward, Brian Brobbey is selected over Wilson Isidor for the third consecutive match.

Daniel Farke, as expected, sticks with the same line-up that thrashed Crystal Palace last time out.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin will once again spearhead the attack, as he seeks to score for the sixth consecutive match.

Positional rival Lukas Nmecha is fit enough to make the bench, however, having missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury.

LINE-UPS

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin, Xhaka, Geertruida, Rigg, Le Fee, Adingra, Brobbey

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Mayenda, Isidor, Mundle, Hjelde, H Jones, J Jones, Tutierov

Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Aaronson, Ampadu, Stach, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor

Subs: Darlow, Justin, Bornauw, Gruev, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha

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242 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Glad Sunderland scored so the Rodon sub won't sting as much.

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  2. Prinzhorn
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Now hate this game even MORE

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  3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Bench:

    A) H. Wilson
    B) Dorgu

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      A

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    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      What's the point of having Dorgu if benching this GW

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      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 17 days ago

        Considering a transfer in for Rodon. Still contemplating if i should. Will mean I bench Wilson.

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    3. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      Play Dorgu

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  4. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    if leeds move back to a 4 back does that put stach's place at risk?

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  5. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Few Weks back there were tlaks of Pope / Roef rotation. I think Pope injury has been blessign for those who took the route.

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  6. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Heaven tempting me as a Rodon replacement.

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      Secure gametime?

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      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 17 days ago

        As long as De Ligt and Maguire are out

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    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 17 days ago

      That's a paradox. Resisting temptation is the road to Heaven.

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    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      Wouldn't go there

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    4. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      'Ruben was also asked in the media briefing about centre-backs Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, who have both been sidelined with injuries in recent weeks.

      "We are still working with them, they are not available for this one. Let's see for the next one," he added.'

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  7. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Cmon DCL wipe that Sunderland cleanie and get me points..

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    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      very close to an A

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  8. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Rodon Hartman to Heaven Dorgu -4 sound like fun moves to make for BB

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  9. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Rodon owners lucky. Would have gotten 0 points if he continued the game.

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  10. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Xhaka you beauty!!

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  11. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    aaronson set the ball for stach there 🙁

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  12. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    What a save by Roefs

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    1. FOREST FOREVER 2
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 17 days ago

      I think he was beatn. Hume off the line.

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  13. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Aaronson running DCL assist

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    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      Ruining ffs stupid autocorrect

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  14. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Hume with the goal line clearance

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  15. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Leeds getting closer.

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  16. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Going to be a long game having benched DCL again 😳

    Maybe I should be even keeping him on FH next week.

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  17. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Brobbey misses sitter

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  18. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Hahaha end to end stuff. Brobbery post.

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  19. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    And another sitter missed from Brobbey lol

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  20. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Sunderland/ Brobbey should have scored twice in a minute

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  21. Supersonic_
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Need Sunderland busted

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  22. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    All the touches in the box but can't find the end product

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  23. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Eze worth a punt on FH? Should start midweek

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      Not really

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      1. FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 17 days ago

        You think he wont start?

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  24. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Anyone else considering playing WC after next gw?

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  25. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    What's going to happen with Timber VDB and Esteve, have only 1 FT def is a shambles

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  26. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    When Doku is fit is Cherki still first pick? Think he offers more value than Foden now

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  27. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    Gundmundsson defo due a goal as wel

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    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      *well

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    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 17 days ago

      Lol nearly worked

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  28. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    dcl g
    aaronson a

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  29. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    DCL scores... damn it !

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  30. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 17 days ago

    DCL on fire

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