Sunderland will face off against Leeds United in a high-stakes friendly match at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey, USA, on Friday, July 31.
The game marks the second leg of Sunderland's pre-season tour in the US, following their defeat to Liverpool in Nashville. The match is set to kick off at 00:30 BST, and fans can follow the action live on safc.com, while also tuning into BBC Radio Newcastle for live commentary.
Sunderland and Leeds United have a long history of competing against each other, dating back to the 1970s. The two teams have met in quick succession on several occasions, including a testimonial match in 1974 where Stokoe's side travelled to Elland Road for Billy Bremner's testimonial. In 1976, the West Yorkshire club repaid the favour when they came down to Roker for Bobby Kerr's testimonial and the visitors ran out 2-1 winners.
Sunderland will be looking to improve their performance after their defeat to Liverpool, while Leeds United will be seeking to build on their own pre-season preparations. The match will provide valuable experience for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The head-to-head statistics between the two teams are relatively evenly matched, with Sunderland having won 37 competitive matches, drawing 22, and losing 41. Leeds United have scored 139 goals in competitive matches, while Sunderland have scored 133.
The last time the two teams met in a friendly match was in 1976, when Leeds United won 2-1 at Roker Park. The match saw a strong performance from the visitors, with McNiven scoring in the 13th minute and Clarke scoring in the 51st minute to seal the win.
Sunderland's manager, Regis Le Bris, has been working hard to prepare the team for the upcoming season, and this match will provide valuable insight into his tactics and team selection. Meanwhile, Leeds United's players will be looking to impress their manager and earn a spot in the starting lineup for the upcoming season.
The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to come out on top. The result will have implications for the teams' preparations for the upcoming season, and fans will be eager to see how the match unfolds.
The game will be played at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey, USA, on Friday, July 31, at 00:30 BST. Fans can follow the action live on safc.com, while also tuning into BBC Radio Newcastle for live commentary.
Source: Yahoo Sports