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Michael Owen predicts Leeds v Sheffield United in Yorkshire derby clash
Michael Owen predicts Leeds United to win the Premier League’s battle of Yorkshire in a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday.
The tale of these teams could not be more contrasting heading into the clash at Elland Road.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are cruising in mid-table as they eye a top-half finish while the visitors are rock-bottom of the division and are heading back to the Championship after a two-season hiatus.
In his weekly predictions on the BetVictor website, ex-England striker Owen forecasts goals as he tips two Whites stars to down the beleaguered Blades.
He said: “Usually, it’s feast or famine when it comes to Leeds, but with the likes of [Patrick] Bamford and Raphinha in good form, I think this is a match where we’ll see goals.
“It’s 2-1 Leeds for me.”
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Goals at a premium in this fixture
Owen’s certainly gone optimistic with his shout for goals given the recent head-to-head record between the sides.
The past three encounters have all ended in 1-0 away wins, with a couple for the Whites sandwiched by a Blades victory in 2019.
It was a tense affair at Bramall Lane in September when Patrick Bamford netted an 88th-minute winner to ensure a short and sweet trip back to West Yorkshire.
We can’t fathom a world where ex-Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom manages a similar feat in charge of Sheffield United given their escapades this season, and they have lost six of their last seven games.
They have not even scored in those six defeats so Owen is actually being kind to the visitors with his prediction.
Maybe this is another media slight on our defence but it’s worth noting we have only been breached four times in our last five games, picking up a couple of clean sheets along the way while Illan Meslier was a star performer in our most recent fixture versus Fulham.
We’re backing him to return from international duties with France in high spirits and record another shutout and make it double digits for the season, with the 21-year-old stopper currently on nine in the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, our view on why Bielsa must consider wielding axe on £35k/pw ace v Sheffield United.