Leeds take on Sheffield United as Championship title race hots up

Leeds United welcome Sheffield United at Elland Road on Saturday in a game that will have huge ramifications in the Championship title race and the hunt for automatic promotion.

Placed second and third respectively, just two points separate the Championship heavyweights. Victory for Leeds could see them return to the top of the table should Norwich City lost away against Rotherham United.

Sheffield could move within a point of Norwich at the top should they go back to south Yorkshire with all three points.

Both teams enter the pivotal clash on the back of superb form. The visitors have only dropped two points in their last six games – a 0-0 draw against fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday – meanwhile Marcelo Bielsa’s squad have only lost one of their last six matches. That being a  1-0 away defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

Leeds have averaged two goals a game over their last six matches. A large part of that is down to the four goals in six for Patrick Bamford – who is standing in for the injured Kemar Roofe – and the three goals from Pablo Hernandez.

The free-scoring hosts will need to be at their goal-scoring best to breach a Sheffield United defence that has not conceded in their last six games.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game Leeds head coach Bielsa spoke of his admiration for Saturday’s opponents, but also played down the extra importance of the clash.

“I have learned a lot from Sheffield United this season,” he said, “They have a new style of play they have been faithful to their style all season, each player is giving the best of himself.”

he added:

“All wins are important and no win is more important than another at this moment in thew competition. Taking into account the club we are in, every game is very important.”

His opposite number Chris Wilder heaped praise on the Whites in his Thursday pre-match press conference as he called them “arguably the best team in the division for the past eight months.”

The clash will be the last for both clubs before the international break. The two teams will return to action on March 30.