Leeds United will aim to cement the top spot in the EFL Championship when they take on Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
A compelling Yorkshire derby awaits at Elland Road as table-topping Leeds United welcome a resurgent Sheffield Wednesday in what promises to be an intriguing Championship clash. Leeds are looking to solidify their automatic promotion credentials, while Sheffield Wednesday aim to break into the playoff mix after exceeding preseason expectations.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United have been a force to reckon with this season, particularly at home. With the best home record in the league, the Whites have turned Elland Road into a fortress, conceding just seven goals while scoring a staggering 30 in their own backyard. They have suffered only one home defeat in the Championship, a testament to their dominance on familiar turf.
Leeds come into this game unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions, a run that stretches back to November. However, they have drawn their last two games, and Farke will be keen to return to winning ways as the promotion race heats up. The Whites have demonstrated their attacking prowess, leading the league with 48 goals in 26 matches, and they will look to exploit Sheffield Wednesday’s shaky defence, which has conceded 40 goals this season.
Danny Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday have turned their season around after a slow start. Expected to struggle near the relegation zone after finishing 20th last year, the Owls have surprised many with a surge up the table, currently sitting 10th and just four points off the playoff spots.
A pivotal moment came in November after a disappointing loss to Sheffield United, which spurred an improved run of form. Since then, the Owls have won five and drawn four of their last 11 matches. Their away form has been particularly impressive, with five wins in their last eight trips. However, they face their toughest test yet against a Leeds side that thrives at home.
Leeds boast an impressive record against fellow Yorkshire teams, remaining unbeaten in their last 17 matches against clubs from the region. Meanwhile, Wednesday will rely on their newfound confidence on the road and look to frustrate the hosts with a disciplined defensive effort.
Despite their improvement, Wednesday’s defensive frailties could be exposed by Leeds’ attacking firepower. The Owls have the sixth-worst defensive record in the league, while Leeds have the best attacking stats, scoring five more goals than any other side. Leeds’ ability to control games and create chances at Elland Road makes them strong favourites for this derby clash. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Leeds United will be without Pascal Struijk for this weekend’s game, as the defender is set to miss at least three weeks due to a hamstring injury. Struijk joins Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpo on the sidelines, with both also recovering from hamstring issues. Bamford’s absence continues to hinder Leeds’ attacking depth, while Firpo is expected to return by the end of the month.
On the brighter side, top scorer Joel Piroe is available for selection after missing the FA Cup clash against Harrogate Town, offering a significant boost to Leeds’ attacking threat. Additionally, Ilia Gruev made his comeback from a three-month layoff due to a knee injury, featuring as a late substitute in the same FA Cup match.
With no suspensions affecting the squad, Daniel Farke will have plenty of options to choose from for this Yorkshire derby. In terms of formation, Leeds United are likely to deploy a 4-5-1 system. Illan Meslier will continue in goal, with Maximilian Wober, Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle, and Ao Tanaka forming the defensive line.
Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rothwell are expected to operate as the double pivot in midfield, providing balance and cover. Ahead of them, Brenden Aaronson will occupy the central attacking midfield role, flanked by Daniel James on the right and Manor Solomon on the left. Joel Piroe, the team’s leading scorer, will lead the attack as the lone striker.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Meslier; Wober, Rodon, Tanaka, Bogle; Ampadu, Rothwell; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday head into this game with several injury concerns. Michael Ihiekwe and Olaf Kobacki are reportedly lacking match sharpness and remain doubts for the clash against Leeds.
Additionally, the Owls will be without Yan Valery, who is sidelined with a knee injury, as well as Dominic Iorfa (hamstring) and Akin Famewo (muscle), further limiting Danny Rohl’s defensive options. There are no suspensions for Wednesday, but the depleted squad could pose challenges for the visitors at Elland Road.
In terms of formation, Sheffield Wednesday are likely to set up in a 4-5-1 system to focus on defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities. James Beadle will guard the goal, while the backline is expected to consist of Max Lowe at left-back, Di’Shon Bernard and Gabriel Otegbayo as the central defensive pairing, and Pol Valentin at right-back.
In midfield, skipper Barry Bannan will orchestrate play alongside Shea Charles, Djeidi Gassama, Josh Windass and Anthony Musaba. Ike Ugbo is set to lead the line as the lone striker, aiming to capitalise on counter-attacking chances.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Beadle; Valentin, Bernard, Otegbayo, Lowe; Bannan, Charles, Gassama, Windass, Musaba; Ugbo
Key Stats
- Leeds United have won their last two league games against Sheffield Wednesday, both by a 2-0 margin. They will be aiming to make it three consecutive victories over the Owls for the first time since April 2000, when both teams were in the Premier League.
- Sheffield Wednesday have lost just one of their last four away league matches against Leeds United (W2 D1). During these games, they have conceded only two goals and kept clean sheets on their last two visits to Elland Road.
- Leeds United are unbeaten in their last 17 league games against fellow Yorkshire sides (W12 D5). They have kept 11 clean sheets in these fixtures and have conceded more than one goal only once during this impressive run.
- Sheffield Wednesday have won five of their last eight away league games (D1 L2). This is a significant improvement compared to their previous 14 away matches, in which they managed just five wins (D1 L8).
- Joel Piroe is Leeds United’s top scorer in the league this season with 10 goals. He is the only player to have scored 10+ goals in each of the last four Championship seasons, achieving this milestone twice with Leeds and twice with Swansea.
Player to Watch
Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson has been a key creative force in Leeds United’s lineup this season, making him the player to watch in their clash against Sheffield Wednesday. The dynamic attacking midfielder has been instrumental in linking up play and creating chances, thriving in Daniel Farke’s high-intensity system.
Aaronson’s ability to exploit pockets of space between the lines and his knack for delivering incisive passes have made him a crucial cog in Leeds’s attacking machinery. His movement off the ball, combined with his technical skills, allows him to unsettle defences and set up his teammates in dangerous positions.
With Leeds boasting the Championship’s best offensive record, Aaronson’s vision and flair could play a pivotal role in breaking down a Sheffield Wednesday defence that has struggled to keep clean sheets on the road. His combination play with the likes of Joel Piroe and Dan James has been a highlight of Leeds’s season, and he will be expected to step up again in this Yorkshire derby. If Aaronson can dictate the tempo and create opportunities in the final third, Leeds’s chances of securing all three points will significantly increase.
Prediction
Leeds United 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday
While Sheffield Wednesday’s resurgence cannot be overlooked, Leeds United’s dominance at home and superior attacking quality give them the edge in this fixture. The Whites will likely have too much firepower for the Owls to handle. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Daniel Farke and his charges.
