The 2026 Premier League Summer Series continues with a clash between Sunderland and Leeds United, who will be looking to edge one another to make a massive statement ahead of next season.
Ayomide Oguntimehin provides the detailed match preview and prediction for the July 31 clash in New Jersey.
Sunderland vs Leeds United match preview
Sunderland enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 Premier League season, where they finished in seventh placed and sealed a place in the 2026-27 Europa League season. The Black Cats will be aiming for another impressive campaign with the extra demand of European football now on their desk. They started preseason action with a 5-1 win over York City, before suffering a 4-2 defeat to former champions Liverpool, and will be hoping to seal a first win in the 2026 Premier League summer Series clash.
Leeds United, meanwhile, also retained their top flight status and will be hoping for a much improved season this time around. The Whites suffered a 3-2 defeat to Wrexham in their only preseason game so far and still have games against Liverpool, German side RB Leipzig and Manchester United still to come before their 2026-27 Premier League opener.
A shirt fit for European nights 😍
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 29, 2026
Sunderland vs Leeds United Head-to-Head
(Last five meetings)
- 03.03.2026 – Leeds United 0-1 Sunderland
- 28.12.2025 – Sunderland 1-1 Leeds United
- 17.02.2025 – Leeds United 2-1 Sunderland
- 04.10.2024 – Sunderland 2-2 Leeds United
- 09.04.2024 – Leeds United 0-0 Sunderland
This game has been evenly matched in recent meetings, with both sides winning one game apiece and recording three draws in their last five matches across all competitions.
Best betting odds
Over 1.5 Goals – 1.24 (via Betano)
Prediction
Both sides have struggled defensively in recent matches and this game has what it takes to be an end to end affair, potentially leading to multiple goals scored by both sides.
👏 Tampa! Thank you for your amazing support! pic.twitter.com/dxN7lMSnVg
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 26, 2026
Recent form: Sunderland
Sunderland have won one of their two preseason matches so far, defeating York City and losing to Liverpool in their opening game of the Premier League Summer Series.
The Black Cats have failed to keep a clean sheet in both games so far, although they have scored seven times from both games.
Recent form: Leeds United
Leeds United were defeated 3-2 by Championship side Wrexham in their only taste of preseason action so far this summer.
The Whites also lost 3-0 to West Ham United in their final game of the 2025-26 season.
Player to watch
Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
DR Congo midfielder Noah Sadiki will be hoping to play a key role in leading Sunderland to winning ways when they take on Leeds in New Jersey.
His ball winning ability and work rate will be very crucial to the Black Cats’ chance of getting a favourable result.
