Sheffield United v Leeds: A defining game in the Championship season
Watch live on Sky Sports Football from 12pm on Saturday
Saturday 10 February 2018 19:13, UK
Sheffield United and Leeds meet on Sky Sports on Saturday in a Yorkshire derby which could prove pivotal to both of their seasons.
The Blades will be looking to relaunch their play-off push after two wins in their last 13 Sky Bet Championship matches while Leeds will be hoping for a much-needed lift from the appointment of new manager Paul Heckingbottom.
Ahead of the clash on Saturday lunchtime, we look at the form guide, the mood in the camps and the pundits' verdict...
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Play-off picture
With 16 games of the season to go, both Sheffield United and Leeds are outside the play-off places, but both are within touching distance.
The Blades start the weekend eighth in the table, five points behind Bristol City in sixth place, while Leeds are 10th, two points behind their Yorkshire rivals.
For Leeds, and new manager Heckingbottom, who was appointed on Tuesday to replace Thomas Christiansen, this game starts a tough run of fixtures that sees them face three of the top six in their next five games.
Sheffield United, on the other hand, have an opportunity to build momentum as their following four games are all against sides in the bottom half of the table, including Hull and Burton, who are both in the relegation zone.
Who's in the best shape?
One of Leeds' biggest issues recently has been discipline. They have had four players sent off in their last five games in all competitions and seven red cards this season, a total only beaten by Grimsby in the EFL.
"They have lost key players," says Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham. "Samu Saiz, for example, is a big player for them and he got sent off against Newport so has been missing. The red cards have meant there have been a lot of changes."
Saiz remains suspended this weekend along with defenders Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi, adding to Leeds' problems at the back with Luke Ayling and Conor Shaughnessy out injured. Pontus Jansson is expected to be available though, and midfielders Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O'Kane return from bans.
Sheffield United's big question mark is in goal where first-choice keeper Simon Moore is suspended and replacement Jamal Blackman is returning from injury.
Blades boss Chris Wilder says they will "make a judgement" on Blackman's fitness, but otherwise the hosts will turn to academy graduate Jake Eastwood to start.
This is a season-defining set of fixtures and we're positive we can come through them...If people want to write us off, which I'm sure they are doing, then that's up to them
Who's in the best form?
The form guide does not make for pretty reading for either side. Sheffield United have won just two of their last 13 games in the Championship, with only four teams picking up fewer points since the start of December.
Leeds, meanwhile, have lost four of their previous six Championship games and have also failed to score in four of their last six.
Head-to-head stats
- Only four managers have ever guided Leeds to a league win at Bramall Lane - Major Frank Buckley (one win), Don Revie (4), Jimmy Armfield (1) and Howard Wilkinson (2).
- Sheffield Utd won 2-1 at Elland Road on October 27, with Billy Sharp and David Brooks scoring either side of Kalvin Phillips's equaliser.
- Leeds have won one of the last eight meetings (D3 L4).
- Sheffield United have scored in 13 of the last 14 meetings.
- The Blades are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Leeds at Bramall Lane (W3 D2).
- In the last 12 meetings at Bramall Lane there have been 36 goals scored.
What have the managers said?
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: "This is a season-defining set of fixtures and we're positive we can come through them...If people want to write us off, which I'm sure they are doing, then that's up to them. If they want to say that's us done, they can do that if they want. It's fine by me. But I know the spirit that's in this group and I know they can go again. I know better than anyone the character of these boys.
"We're still in the fight and it's still all to play for. I don't think there's anything wrong with the character of our group, in fact I know there isn't because they prove it every single day. These are the type of matches everyone wants to be involved in and I know the lads are going to be up for it as they and the fans always are."
Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom: "Two years ago, when I sat in this chair at Barnsley, we were 14th and we went up. I know it can be done. It's something that's definitely achievable but if you get carried away with me setting that target and putting undue pressure on … the next game's important.
"On the pitch I want us to be a really positive and aggressive team with and without the ball. You get nothing for being cautious, especially in the position we find ourselves right now, what have we got to lose? The next month or two are going to be really big and we have to try and catch up, so that approach is really relevant for now."
Pundits' view
Danny Higginbotham on Sheffield United: "I love watching Sheffield United, they have had an incredible season. The next six games will define their season. They are a newly-promoted side and they take the game to the opposition. They do get caught out but they are always on the front foot.
"They have conceded some late goals which goes against them but they have lost important players like Paul Coutts, who was a massive player for them and the way they played. Their centre-halves would end up as wingers so Coutts as the defensive midfielder would drop in, and he has been a big miss.
"You have to look at everything, don't look at their recent results, look at where they are in the league and what they have done this season, they have been brilliant and I hope Wilder doesn't change things. It's going to be a really interesting game."
Don Goodman on Leeds: "The first five or six fixtures are as hard as you could possibly have. Nearly all the teams are in good form and are at the top end of the league, fighting for a play-off place or automatic promotion.
"The flip side is Leeds and Paul will be hoping for that new manager bounce, which often happens for some mysterious reason. If they can come through this run with a reasonable amount of points they then have the so-called lesser teams to face and that could mean they finish the season strong and give themselves a chance."
David Prutton's prediction
"This is a massive test for Paul Heckingbottom! It's quite the move he's made from Barnsley to Leeds for more than one reason and he'll be under the microscope right away at Bramall Lane.
"When these two sides met in October they were both right in the mix for automatic promotion, and Sheffield United even went top after they won at Elland Road! But both have drifted away from the play-offs now and will be desperate for a win. It will be a good, open game, and I think it will be a draw."
Prutton predicts: 2-2 with Leon Clarke to score first (60/1 with Sky Bet)
Watch Sheffield United v Leeds live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event from midday on Saturday
