Leeds vs Sheffield United predictions: Whites to blunt Blades in local derby

Alex Jack
Spotlight
Daniel Farke will want Leeds United to impress at home to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.
Daniel Farke will want Leeds United to impress at home to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.

- Sheffield United have won one of their last four away games
- Leeds have lost one of their nine Championship games this season
- Recommended bet:
Leeds United to win to nil

The battle for promotion from the Championship continues on Friday evening with an intriguing Yorkshire derby between Leeds United and Sheffield United at Elland Road.

Both teams have made positive starts to the campaign, with the Blades joint-top of the table after an unbeaten start and the Whites just three points behind.

A fiery encounter awaits under the lights at Elland Road, in a battle between two sides in desperate need of swift returns to the Premier League.

Team news

Injuries have not been kind to Leeds at this early stage of the season, with midfield duo of skipper Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev both out for the foreseeable future.

Loan signing Manor Solomon and fellow winger Dan James are both pushing for returns to action following the international break.

Manager Daniel Farke has a decision to make up top, with Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph battling for a starting role in the No.9 role.

As for the visitors, only midfielder Tom Davies is sidelined with a leg injury, so manager Chris Wilder has almost a fully fit squad to choose from for the short trip up the M1.

Chris Wilder and Sheffield United face a tough test of their mettle when they visit Leeds United.
Chris Wilder and Sheffield United face a tough test of their mettle when they visit Leeds United.

The stats

Leeds have won three of their last four games against United, with two of those victories finishing 1-0 to the Whites.

Both teams to score has landed once in the last four meetings between these teams.

The last encounter between these sides was back in April 2021, with Leeds earning a 2-1 win over the Blades at Elland Road in the Premier League.

United have failed to score in two of their last three away games in all competitions, drawing blanks against Barnsley in the EFL Cup and at Portsmouth in the Championship.

Prediction

There has been little to choose from between these teams in recent years and another cagey encounter can be expected on Friday night.

Wilder's side are on a good run, but a lack of goals away from Bramall Lane is a concern going into a game at Elland Road, where Leeds have scored nine goals in four Championship games this season.

Only Norwich City and Sunderland have scored more goals than Leeds in the league this term and, with Piroe netting in three of the Whites’ last four games, the hosts have a striker in a rich vein of form.

Given the Blades’ lack of goals away from home of late and, with Leeds having scored six goals in their last three Championship games, a home win to nil looks to be the way to go here.

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Leeds UnitedSheffield UnitedChampionship