Sunderland

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been absolutely unbelievable up front for Leeds.

They are just a much better team with him in it, and their confidence must be sky-high at the moment too, because they have had some excellent results recently.

The worry for Sunderland is how much they will miss their players who are away at Afcon, but I don't think it will affect them.

The Black Cats don't score a lot of goals but they are always so well-organised - I am going for them to win, and keep out Calvert-Lewin to keep a clean sheet too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT), which will be the first Premier League game between these sides for 23 years.

Defensive strength key for Sunderland

Sunderland's superb start to the season means they will be sixth on Christmas Day, and while losing six players to the Africa Cup of Nations will test their squad depth, last weekend's 0-0 draw at Brighton offered plenty of encouragement that those absences will not prove too costly.

The Black Cats registered six shots on target against the Seagulls, their highest total in a Premier League match without scoring since April 2016.

Even more reassuring was another display of defensive resilience. Regis le Bris's side recorded their sixth clean sheet of the campaign, already matching their final figure from their most recent top-flight season in 2016–17.

The Wearsiders have also conceded just 17 Premier League goals so far, a record bettered by only Arsenal and Manchester City.

That is more than five fewer than would normally be the case based on their expected goals against figure of 22.45. It remains to be seen whether that level of over-performance is sustainable, but it may not matter.

Sunderland's haul of 27 points would have been enough to guarantee survival last season and, while the threshold could be slightly higher this term, just four more wins should secure safety.

Calvert-Lewin key for improving Leeds

The last time Leeds faced Sunderland in the top flight was in a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day 2002, when James Milner scored his first senior goal for the visitors, aged just 16 years and 356 days.

Although eclipsed by James Vaughan's strike for Everton in 2005, Milner remains the second-youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

The Whites finished 24 points ahead of play-off winners Sunderland in last season's Championship, but have found the step up more challenging than the Wearsiders.

However, Daniel Farke's side are moving in the right direction, collecting eight points from a possible 12 since the start of December to move six clear of the relegation zone. That is thanks in no small part to the form of summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Calvert-Lewin managed just one goal in his first 10 Premier League appearances for the club, but has scored six times in his subsequent five games. The 28-year-old will be in contention for an England recall if he maintains that consistency, according to Farke.

Should the striker extend his scoring streak this weekend, he would become the first Leeds player to net in six consecutive top-flight matches since John McCole in the 1959–60 season.

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle Sunderland commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland fans need very little this Christmas.

The team has done them proud with a staggering 27 points and sixth place in the Premier League!

In late November, a glance at the fixtures leading up to Christmas was on paper slightly intimidating. Chelsea, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Brighton loomed in the headlights but why worry. Sunderland cruised through with wins over Chelsea, Bournemouth and Newcastle and draws at Liverpool and Brighton.

Only a 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium blotted the copybook, but that was by no means a humiliation against a City side in imperious form.

With no match until Sunderland are at home to Leeds on 28 December, the brief hiatus means Christmas will probably be all the more enjoyable - although I suspect many will be disappointed the traditional Boxing Day fixture has been expunged from the calendar this season. Such is the pay-off the fans have to make for eating at football's top table.

So Christmas this year, will on the whole, be one in which to wallow and enjoy for Sunderland fans!

Explore Sunderland content on BBC Sounds

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leeds at the Stadium of Light (14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris began by confirming he has no new injury concerns at this stage before the visit of Leeds.

• Reflecting on a successful 2025, he said: "The full year was really positive, we had consistency and good moments. We have been consistent as a club and as a group. This is how you get results."

• On being sixth at Christmas, he added: "It's really positive. To get 27 points at this stage shows the quality of the group because if you are not at the level in this league - you can't win points."

• On Arthur Masuaku's future: "The most competitive part of our squad is the back line. Many good players. Some of them gain momentum but for Arthur - even if he is a really good player - he didn't have many opportunities to play. He is still important for us, we had a conversation just before Afcon and we agreed this window we will have an opportunity to discuss. That doesn't mean he will leave because we still have to be aligned."

• Le Bris is expecting a "tough challenge" from Sunday's opponents: "Leeds are in good form at the moment, especially over the last four games. They switch into a back five, going maybe a little direct now in key moments. They are strong from set-pieces - good takers, good delivery with a strong physical presence in the box. They are doing well."

• He praised Wilson Isidor's connection with the fans after a video posted on the club's social media: "He's really well connected. He likes understanding the region and the identity of the club. He's emotional so he shows more than other players this connection. It's really positive for our fans."

• On Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin, who have struggled for opportunities this season: "We have five games in two weeks with a small group so they are involved. They are training really well, which shows me their standards and their ability to stay connected. Football is like that - sometimes you don't feel the opportunity is close but just one moment can find these opportunities. So maybe they will play."

Follow all of Wednesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Sunderland v Leeds on Sunday from 14:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

While Sunderland's unbelievable start to the season has afforded us an element of luxury when it comes to the upcoming transfer window, the impact of losing players to the Africa Cup of Nations means we probably do need to recruit some players early.

There have been links to Lazio's Matteo Guendouzi, and I can totally see that happening given his previous relationships with Regis Le Bris and Granit Xhaka.

Other than that, we could do with bringing in more creativity in forward areas.

I can see us signing another goalscoring wide-player, and potentially another striker, but a lot may depend on who we allow to leave.

Many of the players who formed part of Sunderland's promotion-winning side last season have struggled for minutes, and I think towards the end of the window we'll probably say goodbye to Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, Leo Hjelde and Dennis Cirkin.

In Neil and Cirkin's case, they're out of contract in the summer and the club will want to recoup something for them while they still hold value.

Then there's the deadwood - Abdoullah Ba, Timothee Pembele, Joe Anderson, and Ian Poveda all need to find new clubs and that will be a core objective during the window, as it doesn't help anyone to still have them kicking about the place.

Really, Sunderland just need to tighten things up.

Trim some of the fat, bring in more quality where it's needed, and importantly, match the ambition of the head coach and the side by backing us with proper funds to sign players capable of helping us finish in a European place come the end of the season.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has identified the Black Cats' crucial missing piece - a proven goalscorer.

Sunderland were held to a goalless draw away to Brighton on Saturday, despite putting six of their 14 shots on target.

Gabbiadini has noticed a pattern in Sunderland's recent form.

"It's been a bit of a feature of the past few weeks," Gabbiadini said. "We're competitive in every game, but the cherry on the cake that we need at the moment is just a consistent goalscorer who's going to put those chances away."

Only bottom-placed Wolves have scored fewer goals than Sunderland in the last five Premier League games, as a resolute defence has earned them a ninth-placed position in the form table.

Gabbiadini believes that a consistent marksman could help Sunderland to seal the points they are due.

"There were some decent opportunities [against Brighton] and if one of them had gone in you could've said that Sunderland deserved the three points," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We fly out of the traps when we're out of possession.

"If they do play through us, our recovery runs to get back behind the ball are quite incredible."

Listen to more from Marco Gabbiadini on BBC Radio Newcastle here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

David Boring football with no improvement. Keep seeing the same mistakes from Brighton. Too slow in possession with too many side to side and back passes. Too many touches on the ball and not consistent for 90 minutes.

Tim: An awful first half where we were fortunate not to concede. An improvement in the second half but with no cutting edge. I have to question Hurzeler's selection and subs again. Veltman was excellent and should have started, to allow Wieffer to play in midfield. Rutter and Gruda cannot play together, they're too similar. Gruda just frustrates me hugely every game. Time to give Kostoulas a start.

Hugh: Another laboured performance from Brighton. The pace of play is very slow and deliberate - even in fast breaks they slow it down. Also why are we so reluctant to put the ball into the box and ask questions of their defence?

Sunderland fans

Edward: Everyone was predicting that Sunderland might struggle due to so many players being away yet, we showed that we have the capabilities with a strong performance in the first half. Yes we came under pressure second half, but more than deserved our point.

Barry: Played well in the first half but never put any of our shots on target away. We were poor in the second half, we stopped the high press and sat back with 20 minutes to go looking for the draw, which in the past was our go-to tactic, but a game like this was there for the taking - so a bit disappointed.

Martin: Five players down to Afcon and we got a draw away. So pleased with the team performance in this game and bringing in some of the fringe players with something to prove is a nice situation to be in.

Andy Stevenson
Final Score Reporter at The Amex Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

When a game is low on entertainment value, it's all too easy not to give credit to those who kept it tight and tense. Defence is just as important as attack and Brighton and Sunderland would both have taken satisfaction in keeping clean sheets in tricky circumstances.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk was suspended and Jan Paul van Hecke was ruled out with illness, so Diego Coppola and Olivier Boscagli paired up at the back, with just one previous Premier League start between them this season.

While Reinildo was the only defensive absentee for Sunderland from the derby win over Newcastle, Regis le Bris had to make four changes overall because of Afcon.

Behind both defences though stood two Dutch goalkeepers in fine form. And both men came out on top of the player ratings made by supporters on this very website.

Bart Verbruggen made a superb save after the interval to stop Omar Alderete from breaking the deadlock with a bullet header, while Robin Roefs kept his sixth clean sheet in 17 Premier League appearances.

Verbruggen, 23, has 26 caps for the Netherlands and played every match at Euro 2024. Roefs, who is 22, got his first senior call-up from Ronald Koeman in August and looks certain to be pushing Verbruggen for a starting spot at the World Cup. Their form in the Premier League between now and then could decide who will be number one for the the Oranje next summer.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland defender Trai Hume spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about Saturday's draw against Brighton: "We are a bit disappointed that we couldn't take anything but a draw is probably the fair result.

"I thought we controlled the first half in the way we wanted to but the second half was a bit chaotic and d they probably had the better chances.

"I was a disappointed that I didn't get to start against Newcastle but you can't be too high or too low in football - you have to stay ready for the next game.

"We are missing a few players because of Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations] and that opens up opportunities for other players and hopefully some can take their chances."

Pundits Joe Hart and Shay Given join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 3-0 West Ham

• Brighton 0-0 Sunderland

• Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

The festive period will be a true test of Regis Le Bris' squad.

This was Sunderland's first game after losing five of their players to the Africa Cup of Nations - many of whom have been instrumental to their success this season.

Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo Mandava and Bertrand Traore - who all started in the Black Cats' statement win over Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby last week - plus Arthur Masuaku, have all headed to Morocco for the tournament.

Le Bris has said he is "not worried" about their departures and the Frenchman will be especially thankful that his promoted side are comfortable in the top half of the table and not scrapping it out in a relegation battle.

However, there were signs that Afcon will take a toll on his squad over the next few weeks, with the Black Cats tiring in the second half and presenting Brighton with half-chances to seal a late winner.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris to BBC's Match of the Day: "The atmosphere in the dressing room was a bit disappointed [that we didn't win], which was a good sign for the future.

On missing players who have come to AFCON: "We will see step by step. Our opponents will have many games today, so they won't be at their best."

On Christmas for him: "We prepare the next game."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have kept six clean sheets in their 17 Premier League games this season, as many as they did in the whole of their last campaign in the top-flight (2016-17).

• Enzo Le Fee created five chances against Brighton, the most by a Sunderland player in a Premier League away match since August 2015 (Adam Johnson, 5 vs Leicester).

Listen to Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Four changes from Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler after last week's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.

The Seagulls have a new-look centre-back partnership in Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola, with Lewis Dunk suspended and Jan Paul van Hecke an unexpected absentee.

Brighton are also without Diego and Carlos Baleba, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Gruda, Rutter, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Ayari, Wieffer, De Cuyper, Coppola.

Subs: Steele, Watson, Kostoulas, Milner, Mitoma, Veltman, Knight, Simmonds, Oriola.

Regis Le Bris also makes four changes from Sunderland's derby win against Newcastle.

Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo Mandava and Bertrand Traore have all headed to Afcon with their respective nations.

Lutsharel Geertruida, Chris Rigg, Trai Hume and former Brighton winger Simon Adingra are the replacements.

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

Subs: Patterson, Cirkin, Neil, Mayenda, Mundle, Isidor, Diarra, Hjelde, Jones.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Newcastle v Chelsea (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Burnley

• Brighton v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Manchester City v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Brentford

• Tottenham v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Arsenal (20:00)

• Leeds v Crystal Palace (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Liverpool", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Sunderland are an amazing team, and winning last week's derby against Newcastle United is just the latest high for them in what has been an a brilliant season.

The Black Cats are on 26 points after 16 games, and have already beaten Leicester City's total from 38 games last season - they were relegated with 25 points in 18th place.

That's an extraordinary achievement. I know they are losing a few players to Afcon, but that would only be a big problem if they were languishing near the bottom of the table.

Instead this just feels like an opportunity for the players coming in to try to maintain their momentum. Regis le Bris and his team will be full of confidence too, although this is a tricky trip for them to the south coast.

Brighton are a real Jekyll and Hyde side at the moment, but I always feel they will do well at home - they have only lost once there this season.

I watched the Seagulls at Anfield last week. They should have scored at 0-0, but didn't... and lost.

This time? My instinct still tells me to go with Brighton at Amex Stadium, but Sunderland are going to push them very close.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

On Saturday, Brighton and Sunderland will meet for the first time in the Premier League, having not faced each other in any competition since August 2011. Then, Albion won a League Cup second-round tie 1-0 after extra time in their inaugural season at Amex Stadium.

BBC Sport examines some of the talking points for the game between two sides occupying the top half of the table.

Brighton's December blues

Brighton were only two points off third place heading into December but that gap has grown to 10 following a three-match winless spell. It's Albion's worst run of the season, with their only point this month coming courtesy of a controversial stoppage-time equaliser at home to West Ham.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler felt his side "deserved more" from their 2-0 defeat at Anfield last week but it means Brighton are yet to win a Premier League match in the month of December under him.

They also had a mid-season wobble this time last season, failing to win in six attempts in December as part of an eight-game sequence without a victory.

It all adds up to Brighton - and Hurzeler - enduring the longest ongoing winless run in December by a current Premier League side.

Their most recent December win came against Spurs in 2023 and it is a month that has historically brought Brighton little cheer.

After all, they have only won 20.8% of their Premier League matches in December compared to 31.3% overall.

Sunderland squad put to the test

Sunderland's emotionally-charged victory in last Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby put them within two points of fourth place. Their tally of 26 points is the most by a promoted side after 16 games since Hull City in 2008-09.

The belief and resilience instilled in the team by head coach Regis le Bris will now be needed more than ever. The festive period tests the strength in depth of even the most-stacked squads but Sunderland might have to negotiate their next seven matches, including an FA Cup trip to Everton, without up to half-a-dozen players who will be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon].

The Black Cats are losing twice as many players to the tournament as any other Premier League side. Four of those have been instrumental in Sunderland's success this season: Noah Sadiki and Chemsdine Talbi have played in all 16 of their top-flight matches, while Reinildo Mandava and Bertrand Traore have started 12 and nine respectively.

Club record signing Habib Diarra has been selected by Senegal but could first be involved against Brighton after a 12-match absence because of a groin injury.

Regardless, Le Bris admits Sunderland's lofty position means the absence of his African players will be less keenly felt.

"I'm not worried," he said. "We knew this period would come – it's not new or unexpected and, with 26 points, confidence is higher. I trust the players."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has already proved himself in big games, but says it is a "battle in my head" to control the nerves before these matches.

Despite the influx of new players in the summer in preparation for the Black Cats' return to the Premier League, centre-back Ballard has remained a constant presence in the side.

The 26-year-old is garnering a reputation for his performances in the biggest matches, having scored against the likes of Arsenal and stopped last-minute goals for the opposition.

Asked whether he sees himself as a big-game player, Ballard told BBC Sport: "I have a battle in my head. I get really nervous for the big games, but I think I play a lot better with the nerves.

"It's about controlling them but still allowing myself to be nervous because it fires me up. It focuses me on the game.

"In the highest pressure ones I've seemed to do quite well recently, so long may it continue."

In May, the Northern Ireland international scored one of the most important late goals in the club's history, when he netted a 123rd-minute winner in the Championship play-off semi-final at the Stadium of Light.

Reflecting on the moment, Ballard said: "It was just pure chaos in that stadium and I've watched it back so many times. We speak among the lads.

"It was such a high-pressure moment and to win it with literally the last kick of the game, I'm just seeing the boys' reaction after that, and the stadium. It was my greatest night in football and probably [for] everyone in that dressing room.

"I don't think anything will get close to that, but I'm more than happy with that."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard says if he did not have his "fight" then he "wouldn't have anything" in football.

The 26-year-old began his career in the youth academy at Arsenal, but never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners.

He spent time on loan with Swindon Town, Millwall and Blackpool before making a permanent move to Sunderland in 2022.

"I didn't have the smoothest pathway growing up. I wasn't really the best player in my age groups, so I had to fight for every opportunity and every chance," Ballard told BBC Sport.

"It wasn't smooth sailing, but coming up at an academy like that [Arsenal's], there's so many good coaches and so many people to teach you things if you're willing to listen and learn.

"You can carve a career out there for yourself and I've managed to do that."

The Northern Ireland international has established himself as a key player in the Black Cats' backline and has now made 103 appearances for the club, helping them win promotion from the Championship last season.

"If I didn't have that [fight], I wouldn't - especially when I was younger - have anything really," Ballard said. "That was the main thing that allowed me to continue in the academies.

"I did just the basic stuff well. I listened and worked hard and the coaches respected that and give me opportunities off the back of that. Not necessarily because I was the best player on the pitch, but just because I was doing the right things.

"I think that is what has always given me the opportunities to keep going."

Read the full piece here

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka "lifted the standards" of the club when he arrived, says team-mate Dan Ballard.

The former Arsenal midfielder joined the Black Cats from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for £17m on a three-year deal.

Since then, the Switzerland stalwart has played in every Premier League game, scoring one goal and providing four assists to help Sunderland up to eighth place.

"He's an amazing guy. I was a bit surprised when we signed him - I wasn't sure what it would be like," Ballard told BBC Sport.

"But the impact he's had on the whole club really, I didn't think one person could affect the team the way he's done. From minute one, I think the standards really rose because he does everything to 100%.

"It's like, 'if he's got that amazing career and he's still doing everything perfectly, why wouldn't we?' I think it just lifted the standards."

Xhaka spent seven years with the Gunners, training with Ballard when the defender was in the north London club's academy, and has brought a wealth of experience to Regis le Bris' promoted side.

"Literally [in] everything he does - the gym work, the standards he puts out on the training pitch. We've just been outside, it can be cold and wet and but he's 100% focused and giving everything in training," Ballard added.

"So when some of us boys may be not putting that work in and you see him doing it, it's unacceptable for us [not to]. If he's doing it, he's won titles and played hundreds of games in the Premier League, then why shouldn't we?

"I think that has lifted everyone."

Read the full piece here

Image source, Getty Images

In the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, ex-manager Sam Allardyce for a wide-ranging chat about being a head coach in elite football.

The man affectionately known as Big Sam - who managed Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Everton and Leeds among others - breaks down the principles that sustained his career, why he regrets not confronting criticism of his playing style sooner and why he's encouraged by the league's evolution this season.

He also reflects on working with Wayne - how he wishes he'd managed him earlier and why he never wanted to sub him off, alongside sharing why he was so disappointed not to be given longer with the Toffees.

Plus, Allardyce also reveals some classic dressing room stories - from warning a player he had 30 minutes to save himself after a champagne night out, to urging Palace chairman Steve Parish to speak his mind to the squad after a bad defeat.

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds