Sunderland host Leeds United at Stadium of Light, Sunderland in Gameweek 8 on Sun 25 Oct, 16:30 GMT. Sunderland are 20th on 4 points from 7 games (form DLLLL), Leeds United are 7th on 10 (form DWDLD). The FPL deadline is Friday 23 October 2026, 18:30 BST, so check team news before you lock your squad.
Sunderland: form check
Sunderland have scored 6 and conceded 14 in 7 league games, and last time out it was L 0โ2 at AFC Bournemouth in GW7. At home they have 3 points from 3 games. Official FPL list, 2026-10-21: Brobbey (hamstring injury: 75% chance of playing); Ballard (hamstring injury: Unknown return date); Isidor (knock: 50% chance of playing); Danso (suspended until 31 Oct); Meunier (groin injury: 75% chance of playing). Expected shape: 4-5-1.
Sunderland Predicted Starting XI & Lineup ยท 4-5-1
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Leeds United: form check
Leeds United have scored 9 and conceded 6 in 7 league games, and last time out it was D 1โ1 v Manchester United in GW7. Away from home they have 4 points from 3 games. Official FPL list, 2026-10-21: Rodon (hamstring injury: Expected back 21 Nov). Expected shape: 5-4-1.
Facts to know
- Sunderland: L 3โ5 at Manchester City, L 0โ2 v Brighton & Hove Albion, L 0โ2 at AFC Bournemouth.
- Leeds United: D 0โ0 v Crystal Palace, L 1โ2 at Arsenal, D 1โ1 v Manchester United.
- Table before this round: Sunderland 20th (4 pts, GD -8), Leeds United 7th (10 pts, GD +3).
The deciding factor
Granit Xhaka against Leeds United's defence is the matchup to watch: Leeds United have conceded 6 in 7. In the other direction, Dominic Calvert-Lewin faces the Sunderland defence that has conceded 14 in 7. FPL rates this fixture 3/5 for Sunderland and 3/5 for Leeds United, where 5 is hardest.
Fantasy angle
- Granit Xhaka (Sunderland, ยฃ5.4m): averaging 3.6 points a game (25 in total), FPL projects 2.0 for this round, 3.1% owned.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United, ยฃ6.0m): averaging 4.7 points a game (33 in total), FPL projects 5.5 for this round, 23.3% owned, on penalties.
- Anton Stach (Leeds United, ยฃ6.0m): averaging 4.4 points a game (31 in total), FPL projects 2.0 for this round, 2.3% owned.
- Clean-sheet angle: Jayden Bogle (Leeds United, ยฃ4.7m) away from home, with Leeds United the side our model rates less likely to concede (0.8 expected goals against).
- Differential: James Justin (Leeds United, ยฃ4.5m) is owned by just 2.1% and averages 4.9 points a game.
Score prediction
Our model, built on 2026/27 goals scored and conceded, gives Sunderland a 20% win chance, a draw 26% and Leeds United 55%, with 0โ1 the single most likely scoreline. Expected goals: 0.8 for Sunderland, 1.6 for Leeds United. Leeds United are the lean on the numbers, but only 7 games have been played, so treat it as a guide rather than a certainty.