Sheff Utd vs Leeds: A season-defining promotion tussle as top two clash

Just two points divide the promotion rivals…

And, in fact, those two points were the two deducted from Sheffield United before the start of the season. Were it not for that they would be dead level, albeit Leeds have a vastly better goal difference.

Monday 24th February 7:00pm


Kick off 8:00pm

How both bounced back from last season’s disappointment

You expect it to be a given that two sides who have so recently competed in the Premier League will challenge again at the top of the Championship, but recovering from relegations and heartaches is not always as easy as it seems.

Sheffield United finished below Luton in last season’s top flight, but the Hatters are currently battling to avoid the drop into League One, while the Blades are aiming to get back up.

Chris Wilder looked a forlorn figure at times as he failed to keep them up after returning midway through the season, but he has looked rejuvenated this campaign. He was determined to reaffirm his credentials after challenging stints at Middlesbrough and Watford. The Sheffield boy is back home now, and it has shown this season. The spark is back and the fire has returned to his eyes.

Leeds, meanwhile, pushed Leicester and Ipswich all the way in the promotion race last season, only to fall short and eventually lose to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.

Daniel Farke quickly put that behind him and his side as they attacked this season head on. Early wobbles away from home looked a problem, but those issues have now been largely resolved, and Leeds look as impressive on the road as they do at Elland Road.

January helped steady the ship at Bramall Lane

Managers usually aren’t a fan of the January window, but in Sheffield United and Wilder’s case it came at the perfect time.

The Blades had a wobble between Christmas and New Year as injuries took hold. Midfielder Oli Arblaster and centre-back Harry Souttar had both been ruled out for the season, with Kieffer Moore, Vinicius Souza and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi all key players who were also absent.

But the winter window gave Wilder the chance to strengthen, particularly helped by the takeover and funds being made available. Tom Cannon joined permanently, while Ben Brereton Diaz, Hamza Choudhury and Harry Clarke all signed on loan. They have now won seven of their last eight.

An unlikely star emerges at Leeds

Leeds were hit with their own problems in the summer. Four of the players who started the play-off final in May departed the club. Top scorer Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray moved on to Premier League clubs, while midfielder Glen Kamara moved to Rennes in France.

But Leeds didn’t panic. They recruited well, and arguably look stronger now as a squad with the options they have than they did at any time last season – when there never seemed to be much beyond the starting XI.

Wilfried Gnonto was expected to step up and become the key attacking figure at Elland Road, but as the season has gone on he has slipped further and further down the pecking order. Instead, Daniel James has become the star player.

He has always had the pace, but this season the output has improved beyond comprehension. He has scored 10 goals and provided six assists. Pretty remarkable considering he has started just 22 games.

Alongside him, Joel Piroe has emerged as a reliable No 9, and looks far more assured in a Leeds shirt than he did last season. And at right-back Jayden Bogle, who joined from Sheffield United in the summer, has stood out as one of the best in his position in the league.

How will the Blades shape up?

The back three that defined Sheffield United’s rise from League One into the Premier League under Wilder has been left largely in the past, with the Blades playing a back four for virtually the entirety of this campaign.

Intesrestingly, however, the one time they have started this season with three centre-backs was in the reverse fixture at Elland Road back in October. That night they were comfortably beaten 2-0, with Wilder admitting afterwards they deserved nothing from the game.

Will he try the same thing at home in an attempt to combat the attacking and set-piece threat of Leeds? January loan signing Rob Holding came off the bench to make several aerial interventions against Luton last time out and could be used as a third centre-back. That would also allow his wing-backs – likely Harrison Burrows and Harry Clarke – to push forward and drive back James and Manor Solomon.

He may, of course, stick with the back four that has brought them so much success this season, which could afford him the opportunity to bring Gus Hamer back into midfield after he missed their last fixture with a groin injury.

It remains to be seen… Wilder will be keeping his cards close to his chest.

Does Farke stick or twist with Leeds?

In recent weeks as Leeds have pushed on towards promotion the starting XI has pretty much picked itself.

But the win at Sunderland will leave Farke with some selections to ponder. Joe Rothwell proved his brilliance from set-pieces again in teeing up the two goals and may have earned a spot in midfield. His prowess in that regard could prove vital in unlocking Sheffield United’s backline.

Pascal Struijk, who benefited from those deliveries and proved to be the matchwinner, could slot back into defence alongside Joe Rodon, but captain Ethan Ampadu, who admitted fault over Sunderland’s goal after failing to deal with Wilson Isidor, will also undoubtedly play somewhere, and there isn’t room for them all in midfield.

Will the winner have one foot back in the top-flight?

It looks like a battle between three teams for two spots now. Sunderland have slipped a little, but Burnley are breathing down the necks of the top two.

There is still a long way to go in this promotion race, with plenty of twists and turns to come. But victory for either Leeds or Sheffield United on Monday night will be a huge step back towards the Premier League.