The 44-game Sheffield United and Leeds United pattern Chris Wilder knows can be broken at Bramall Lane — Sheffield Star 24/2/25

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By Kyle Newbould

Sheffield United and their upcoming Bramall Lane visitors have been outstanding when going ahead this season.

Chris Wilder knows the importance of scoring first against Leeds United but their comeback win over Sunderland is evidence it is not the be all and end all.

Sheffield United and their Monday night visitors have been imperious after going ahead this season, with neither tasting defeat after scoring a game’s opening goal. Wilder’s side have won 20 of the 23 games in which they have scored first, drawing three, while Leeds have recorded 19 victories and two stalemates from 21 after netting the opener.

The numbers are a lot less encouraging after conceding first, with United and Leeds each winning just two of the nine games in which the opener has gone against them. But after coming from 1-0 down to beat Sunderland 2-1 on Monday, Daniel Farke’s side have shown the ability to fight back and Wilder will not be preparing a victory speech if his side do manage to open the scoring on Monday.

"The first goal is massive,” Wilder told The Star. “I don't think they'll change their approach but teams have to risk as you do. To get that first goal is big in any division but ultimately it doesn't decide the game. Sunderland got that first goal and Leeds United fought back and kept playing and knocking on the door and the door opened up.

"However it opens up, whether it's a set play, whether it's a fabulous delivery by [Joe] Rothwell to [Pascal] Struijk, who gets the winner in the 95th minute, it comes if you knock on the door. Leeds have done that all season. We've got a massive task ahead of us, we're not under-estimating the task, and we're respecting it. I'm respecting it as a manager, the coaches are respecting it and players will.”

That Monday’s meeting is between the Championship’s top two only adds further intrigue to an already mouth-watering Yorkshire derby, with plenty of needle between the two in October’s meeting at Elland Road. Leeds had seen a £13million bid for Gustavo Hamer rejected over the summer, with sources then suggesting to The Star that Joel Piroe had been offered the other way. There had also been Leeds interest in Alfie Gilchrist and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi before they eventually joined United, while Jayden Bogle did move up the M1.

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