The calendar year started with the Whites and Black Cats battling it out for promotion from the Championship.
Both clubs were successful, although the latter needed the play-offs in order to achieve their goal.
Leeds clinched the title, securing automatic promotion alongside Burnley, yet it is Sunderland who are the highest-ranked of the newbies.
Regis Le Bris has steered Sunderland into seventh, while Leeds are sat eight points below in 16th. Burnley are occupying 19th, with only winless Wolverhampton Wanderers below them in the table.
Leeds and Sunderland last met in February, serving up a Championship classic under the light at Elland Road. Daniel Farke’s men emerged as 2-1 winners and will be hoping they can again come out on top.
Both managers have already addressed the media and based on the latest updates, here are the team news snippets from the Sunderland and Leeds camps.
1. Lukas Nmecha - doubt
He has been out injured since Leeds' 3-1 win over Chelsea - but the forward could be back for the trip to Sunderland. Farke said: “There is a small chance for Lukas Nmecha to be involved. There is some progress, I hope to have him at some point this week back in team training and if he comes through these sessions, he could definitely be a topic for the squad. He could travel with us." | Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images
2. Habib Diarra - out
Leeds pursued Diarra in the summer window only to watch the midfielder sign for Sunderland. He will not feature against Farke's men as he has linked up with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations. | Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
3. Luke O'Nien - out
A full-blooded fan favourite at the Stadium of Light, O'Nien will be serving the final game of his suspension after being sent off against Manchester City earlier in the month. | Matt McNulty/Getty Images
4. Sean Longstaff - out
The midfielder is on the comeback trail after picking up a calf problem but the game will come too soon for him. | Stu Forster/Getty Images