Preview: Sheffield United v Leeds United – Team news, how to watch, prediction, lineups
Leeds United could take a massive stride towards the bright lights of the Premier League with victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The two Yorkshire rivals do battle under the lights on Monday night (24 February), with the winner claiming top spot in the Championship regardless of results elsewhere.
Leeds left it late and great last time out in the first of back-to-back Monday clashes, when Sunderland left Elland Road empty-handed despite leading at half-time as Pascal Struijk came off the bench to bag a crucial brace.
| POS | Championship table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 1 | Leeds United | 33 | 72 | 48 |
| 2 | Sheffield United | 33 | 70 | 24 |
| 3 | Burnley | 33 | 65 | 30 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 33 | 62 | 20 |
Preview
Leeds United’s dramatic late victory over Sunderland not only ensured they move 10 points ahead of the fourth-placed Black Cats, but also two points ahead of Sheffield United.
Chris Wilder’s side carved out a narrow victory away at survival hopefuls Luton Town last time out (15 February) courtesy of an Anel Ahmedodzic winner.
Both Leeds and the Blades have won each of their last four, though Daniel Farke’s men boast a far superior goal difference given the rip-roaring attacking prowess they have shown throughout the campaign.
Farke will serve a touchline ban for the clash after picking up a yellow card during the delirious celebrations of Struijk’s stoppage-time winner last Monday.
The Whites were victorious in the reverse fixture earlier this campaign back on 18 October, as Struijk and Mateo Joseph found the net in the second half.
Championship form guide
Sheffield United: WWWWL
Leeds United: WWWWD
Head-to-head
Leeds 2-0 Sheff Utd (October 2024)
Leeds 2-1 Sheff Utd (April 2021)
Sheff Utd 0-1 Leeds (September 2020)
Leeds 0-1 Sheff Utd (March 2019)
Sheff Utd 0-1 Leeds (December 2018)
Team news
As well as Farke’s own absence from the dugout at Bramall Lane on Monday, the German also has a predicament in his squad.
It appears Manor Solomon picked up a knock against Sunderland and will be assessed ahead of the game, depending on how he fares in training over the weekend at Thorp Arch.
It would be a blow for Farke, who is already without Max Wober and Patrick Bamford, but the rest of the squad appear to be available for Leeds.
Jayden Bogle will be one man walking a disciplinary tightrope against his old side, with one more booking within the next four matches triggering a two-match ban for a total of 10 yellow cards.
In the Sheffield United camp, Wilder – complimentary of Leeds in the week – is awaiting news on whether Gus Hamer, Kieffer Moore and Tom Cannon will be available for Monday. Hamer is suffering with a hamstring injury while Moore has had a hernia, and Cannon – signed in January – is waiting to be cleared from an ankle issue.
Predicted line-ups
Sheffield United: Cooper, Clarke, Ahmedodzic, Robinson, Burrows, Souza, Hamer, Brewster, O’Hare, Brereton Diaz, Moore.
Leeds United: (awaiting predicted XI)
(XI graphic to go in)
How to watch
The showdown at Bramall Lane will be screened on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels, with kick-off at 8pm on Monday (24 February).
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-3 Leeds United
Make no mistake, this is a contest which could go either way. Sheffield United are without doubt the second-best team in the Championship.
As much can be said as possible about the Burnley defence or the excitement of other sides in pursuit, but the two Yorkshire sides are heavy favourites to take the two automatic promotion spots.
The one side on paper superior to the Blades are Leeds United. Given how the reverse fixture showed the Whites just having too much for Wilder’s men at Elland Road, this contest could follow a similar pattern.
Sheffield United will be waiting anxiously for whether the likes of Hamer and Moore are available which could make a big difference, but Leeds are riding a huge wave of momentum at the moment which just topples that of Monday’s hosts.
The attacking weaponry of Farke should have a little too much on the night, and with what is at stake, this is the perfect time for Leeds to further demonstrate their credentials of scooping the Championship title in style.