Sheffield United vs Leeds: A defining promotion clash between second and first in Championship — Sky 23/2/25
It is second vs first in the Sky Bet Championship on Monday night as Sheffield United take on Leeds United. watch live on Sky Sports Football from 7pm on Monday night; kick-off 8pm
Simeon Gholam
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.
How both bounced back from last season's disappointment
Leeds have won each of their last seven league games at
Elland Road, conceding just one goal in the process. They've recorded four
consecutive home clean sheets for the first time since June 2020
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.
Interestingly, 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.