Elland Road under the lights provides the backdrop for a high-stakes meeting on Tuesday as a resilient Leeds United side welcomes a sliding Sunderland in a battle of the season’s promoted clubs.
The Whites enter this fixture looking to bounce back from a narrow 1–0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday. Despite the loss, Daniel Farke’s men have undergone an extraordinary revival since December, losing just three of their last 16 games across all competitions. Leeds currently hold a six-point cushion over the relegation zone and will be eager to exploit their formidable home record in evening kick-offs. Notably, the hosts are unbeaten in their last 22 home league games starting at 7 pm or later (W19 D3).
Sunderland, meanwhile, travel to West Yorkshire aiming to arrest a dip in momentum that has seen them win just four of their last 19 Premier League matches. Regis Le Bris’s side snapped a three-game losing streak with a 1–1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday, but they remain winless in their last nine away league fixtures. The Black Cats currently hold a six-point advantage over Leeds in the standings, but they must overcome a historic “March hoodoo”: they have failed to win any of their last 17 Premier League games played in this month (D9 L8).
Leeds United vs Sunderland – Match preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 3 March 2026
- Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
- Venue: Elland Road, Leeds
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
- VAR: Paul Tierney
- Last Meeting: Sunderland 1–1 Leeds United (28 Dec 2025), Premier League
Team News
Leeds United
Leeds are relatively healthy heading into this clash. Daniel Farke expects James Justin to be fit despite requiring stitches after the Man City game, and Joe Rodon is also likely to be available after a hamstring scare was cleared by scans. The only confirmed absentee is attacker Noah Okafor, who remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Farke himself will serve a touchline ban following his red card on Saturday.
Sunderland
The visitors are grappling with a more extensive injury list. Romaine Mundle is out for up to 10 weeks following hamstring surgery, and Jocelin Ta Bi may also require an operation. Sunderland also remain without Dennis Cirkin, Reinildo Mandava, Nordi Mukiele, and Brian Brobbey. On a positive note, Granit Xhaka is fit to start, and Bertrand Traore is available for selection after a recent cameo.
Form
Leeds United
Leeds have been a mixed bag at home recently, alternating between wins and non-wins in their last 10 games at Elland Road. However, all five instances where they failed to win came against teams currently in the top six. Notably, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is looking to rediscover his clinical edge; after converting 47% of his shots in December, his conversion rate has dipped to 10.5% since the turn of the year.
Sunderland
The Black Cats’ early-season form, which saw them briefly reach second place in October, has cooled significantly. They have struggled on Tuesday nights, going winless in their last nine midweek Premier League games and scoring just one goal in that period. Notably, forward Eliezer Mayenda will look to score in back-to-back league games for only the second time in his Sunderland career.
Predicted Lineups
Leeds United Predicted XI: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Stach, Gruev, Ampadu, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin
Sunderland Predicted XI: Roefs; Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Diarra, Le Fee; Mayenda
How to Watch Leeds United vs Sunderland?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports.
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