Leeds United will welcome Sheffield United to Elland Road in a high-stakes game that could prove pivotal in the race for a top-two finish.
Separated by just three points at the top end of the Championship table, Yorkshire rivals Leeds United and Sheffield United will square off for the first time in over three years at Elland Road on Friday. Both sides come into this game with high stakes, as Leeds seek to bounce back after a couple of disappointing draws, while Sheffield United aim to extend their unbeaten start to the season and strengthen their push for promotion.
Returning from the international break, Leeds United find themselves sitting fifth in the Championship with 16 points from their nine matches, having secured four wins, four draws, and one defeat. Daniel Farke’s side were looking strong after victories over Cardiff City and Coventry City, both accompanied by clean sheets. However, their momentum stalled slightly with consecutive draws before the break.
Their most recent outing — a 2-2 draw against leaders Sunderland — was particularly frustrating. Leeds took the lead twice, with goals from Joel Piroe and Junior Firpo. However, a costly late error from Illan Meslier allowed Sunderland to level the score deep into injury time. Now, Leeds are eager to get back on track and return to the Premier League after their relegation last term.
With only three points separating them from the top two, this home match offers Leeds a golden opportunity to close the gap on the Championship leaders. A victory over a strong Sheffield United side could see them move up the table and reaffirm their promotion credentials.
Sheffield United return from the international break in fine form, sitting second in the table, level on points with Sunderland at the top. Despite starting the season with a two-point deduction, Chris Wilder’s side men been resilient, remaining unbeaten through their first nine matches.
The Blades’ success has been built on defensive solidity. Remarkably, they have conceded just three goals all season, boasting six consecutive clean sheets. Their recent back-to-back victories, a 1-0 win over Swansea City followed by a 2-0 triumph against Luton Town, have cemented their position as promotion contenders. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s brace in the latter game secured all three points and ensured the Blades would remain unbeaten heading into this derby.
Wilder’s men will travel to Elland Road full of confidence, aiming to extend their unbeaten run and climb above Sunderland to the summit of the table. Given their defensive strength and form, Sheffield United will be tough to break down, and they will fancy their chances of taking all three points against their Yorkshire rivals. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Leeds United will be without two key midfielders, Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, for their return to action after the international break, with both players sidelined due to injury issues. As a result, summer signings Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka are set to partner up in the midfield for the first time in a Championship match.
The good news for Leeds is that wingers Daniel James and Manor Solomon have recovered from their respective injuries and should be available for selection, though both will face stiff competition to break back into the starting XI in Daniel Farke’s 4-2-3-1 setup.
Mateo Joseph is another player pushing for a starting spot after Joel Piroe led the line in Leeds’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland before the break, where Piroe found the back of the net. He was supported by Largie Ramazani, Brenden Aaronson, and Wilfried Gnonto, who will be vying to keep their spots in the attacking unit.
In Farke’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Illan Meslier will continue in goal, with a back four of Jayden Bogle at right-back, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk as the central defenders, and Junior Firpo slotting in at left-back. Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka will sit in the midfield pivot, tasked with controlling the tempo of the game.
Ahead of them, Willy Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, and Largie Ramazani will form the attacking trio, supporting Joel Piroe, who leads the line as the lone striker. Injury absences include Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, who remain unavailable due to injury, while Daniel James and Manor Solomon have recovered and should be fit for selection.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Piroe
Sheffield United
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is expected to largely stick with the same starting XI that secured a 2-0 victory over Luton Town before the international break. One notable change will likely be the return of Gustavo Hamer to the left flank. Hamer, who has already netted four goals in the Championship this season, is expected to start after being used sparingly in the last match.
He will link up with Callum O’Hare and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the attacking midfield positions, all providing support for lone striker Kieffer Moore. In the middle of the park, Oliver Arblaster returned from injury to partner Vinicius Souza in the Luton Town victory, and the pair will likely resume their midfield duties for this clash.
At the back, despite playing for Australia against Japan on Tuesday, Harry Souttar should continue alongside Anel Ahmedhodzic in central defence. The duo will form a solid barrier in front of goalkeeper Michael Cooper, who has only conceded one goal in his seven appearances since his summer move from Plymouth Argyle.
In terms of formation, Chris Wilder is likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 system. Michael Cooper will be between the posts, with Harry Souttar and Anel Ahmedhodzic forming the central defensive partnership. Alfie Gilchrist is expected to feature at right-back, and Harrison Burrows at left-back.
In midfield, Oliver Arblaster and Vinicius Souza will provide the defensive cover and link-up play. Ahead of them, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Callum O’Hare, and Gustavo Hamer will form the attacking midfield trio, supporting the lone striker, Kieffer Moore.
Regarding injuries and suspensions, Sheffield United have no significant issues at the moment, with key players like Oliver Arblaster returning from injury to bolster the squad ahead of this important Yorkshire derby.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cooper; Gilchrist, Ahmedhodzic, Souttar, Burrows; Arblaster, Souza; Rak-Sakyi, O’Hare, Hamer; Moore
Key Stats
- Leeds United completed a league double over Sheffield United the last time they faced each other in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign (1-0 away, 2-1 home).
- Sheffield United have won their last two Championship visits to Elland Road, winning in 2017-18 and 2018-19 during Chris Wilder’s first spell in charge.
- Leeds United are unbeaten in their last 15 Yorkshire derbies in the league (W11 D4), since a 2-0 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday in January 2020. It marks Leeds’ longest-ever unbeaten run against Yorkshire rivals.
- Sheffield United remain the only unbeaten team in the Football League this season (W6 D3), with their nine-game unbeaten streak being the Blades’ longest unbeaten run from the start of a campaign since the 2012/13 League One season (16 games).
Player to Watch
Joel Piroe
Leeds United’s main attacking threat, Joel Piroe, has quickly established himself as a key player since joining the club. Known for his clinical finishing and intelligent movement, Piroe has already made a significant impact by leading the line effectively in Daniel Farke’s setup. He scored with all four of his shots on target in the Championship this season, and he boasts the best minutes-per-goal rate in the competition so far this term (62 minutes per goal, four goals.
Scoring in Leeds’s recent draw against Sunderland, Piroe will be eager to add to his tally in this crucial Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United. His ability to find space in the box and convert chances makes him a player to watch, as he could play a pivotal role in deciding the outcome of this match.
Prediction
Leeds United 1-1 Sheffield United
Both teams have shown resilience in the early stages of the season, and this Yorkshire Derby could be tightly contested. Leeds United have the home advantage but face a Sheffield United side in excellent defensive form. A draw seems likely, as neither side will want to give up ground in the race for promotion.