Leeds United vs Sheffield United – Preview | OneFootball

Leeds United host Sheffield United on Friday evening with both sides looking good in the early push for promotion.

The Whites entered the recent international break after two draws away from home, but their previous game, against Sunderland, featured an absolute howler from goalkeeper Illan Meslier as he failed to claim the ball in the 96th minute, ultimately bouncing through him and into the net for one of the most embarrassing moments in recent Championship history.

The Blades won back-to-back home games before the international break, dispatching Swansea City and Luton Town. They are still yet to concede a goal in the last six matches, and are yet to lose in the league.

NORWICH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: Illan Meslier of Leeds United celebrates their goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City FC and Leeds United FC at Carrow Road on October 01, 2024 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Transfer business

Daniel Farke oversaw some very good signings in the summer, such as: Joe Rodon, Joe Rothwell, Manor Solomon and to some extent Jayden Bogle for this level. However, they had two key departures in the form of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, and they are definitely not the scary opposition they was last campaign, and that’s the price they paid for choking in the Championship playoff final.

After the summer window, much was spoken about Leeds United’s squad depth and how they will walk the league. I never understood that talk. Here’s why:

Patrick Bamford has only reached double figures in the Championship twice in the previous four campaigns. He’s notorious for missing sitters and being injury prone. Then you have two younger forwards in Joe Gelhart and Mateo Joseph, who are still learning their trade and aren’t really labelled as clinical finishers. Joel Piroe will bail you out with some wonder strikes over the course of the season.

Okay, they may have scored 15 goals in nine games, but I’m not sold on their attack at all. As of now, they have six players overperforming their goal return compared to their expected goals, and that surely won’t continue over the next couple of months.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Oliver Arblaster of Sheffield United and Moussa Sissoko of Watford during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Watford FC at Bramall Lane on September 01, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Team news

Leeds manager Daniel Farke is still grappling with the recent injuries to key players Max Wober, Ethan Ampadu, and Ilia Gruev, dampening the squad’s morale as well as limiting his squad depth. However, there’s cautious optimism surrounding the fitness of wingers Manor Solomon and Daniel James, with hopes they’ll be back in action soon. Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson, who played a late match for the USA earlier this week, is not expected back in training until Thursday.

On the other side, Sheffield United fans received a boost before the international break with the surprise inclusion of Oliver Arblaster in the starting lineup against Luton Town. The club are still carefully managing the recoveries of captain Jack Robinson and Tom Davies, the latter undergoing a mini pre-season to regain match fitness after a lengthy injury layoff.

Leeds United’s star player for this match

As mentioned previously, I’m not sold on Leeds’ forwards because they lack reliable depth in that position. But, one man that could win a game on his best day is Wilfried Gnonto.

Gnonto has two goals to his name already this season after scoring eight times in the previous term. Derby days are usually quite tense, and often hinge on a mistake or a moment of magic, and the Italian can certainly provide that. He has four assists to his name after creating six big chances in the opening nine matches, and he’s averaging 1.4 key passes per game.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi scores his second goal of the game, and his second of the season, against Luton Town, which ultimately led to Sheffield United winning 2-0.

Sheffield United’s star player for this match

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi opened his Sheffield United account when he scored a brace against Luton Town last time out, and it has been coming, after missing two big chances across his previous four starts.

The man on loan from Crystal Palace will likely be up against Junior Firpo down United’s right flank, and the Dominican international could be in for a tough night. Firpo has been booked three times already this term, averaging two fouls a game.

Firpo won’t get much defensive support from Wilfried Gnonto so there could be plenty of one-vs-one opportunities for Rak-Sakyi against Firpo, and you’d have back the loanee to get the best of the Leeds left-back.

My view

Leeds United are the clear favourites, according to the bookies, for Friday evening, even despite them having several injury problems to contend with.

The home side are the third-highest scorers in the Championship (15), and they’ve created the second-most big chances with 27. While they have the advantage over the Blades in this department (Sheffield United scoring 12 goals, and creating just 16 big chances), Friday’s visitors boast the best defensive record in the second tier by some distance, having only conceded three times in nine games.

If you read my most recent preview, for the Luton Town game, I went on record to say that: right now, the Blades are better equipped to play on the break. And on Friday night Leeds will be playing into their hands, I suspect; Farke’s team have averaged 60% possession, the highest in the league. By those numbers, and given they’re at home, Leeds are bound to dominate possession once more.

My prediction

Two very good defensive teams clash at Elland Road coming out of an international break on Friday evening, and I’m pretty sure you know where I’m going with this.

Despite all the quality that will be on the pitch, I just think that the game will be like a chess match, where two sides don’t want to put a foot wrong so the other can capitalise. Given Leeds United’s injury issues, I do think Sheffield United have the slight edge heading into this.

My prediction is a 1-0 win for Sheffield United, though, I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends in a boring 0-0.