Sports Mall previews Friday's Championship clash between Leeds United and Sheffield United, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Separated by just three points at the top end of the Championship table are rivals Yorkshire Leeds United And Sheffield United Friday will be the first start in three years at Elland Road.
Returning from the international break, the visitors sit second in England's second tier, trailing the league leaders on goal difference despite starting with a two-point deficit, while their hosts slip to fifth. to break
Competition preview
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Back in action after their second international break of the season, Leeds United will bid to return to winning ways at Elland Road on Friday and strengthen their position in the Championship's leading pack.
Aiming to go one better and return to the Premier League after last season's play-off final defeat, Daniel WakeThey are fifth in England's second tier after nine games, with 16 points from four wins and four draws with one loss.
That solitary defeat came to Burnley in mid-September and the Whites quickly bounced back with back-to-back wins over Cardiff City and Coventry City before going to Norwich City to draw 1-1. to draw
Another tough test followed in the leaders' trip to Sunderland before the break, and the Yorkshire side looked set for their fifth win of the season with a 2-1 win. Joel Biro And Jr. FirpoOnly for one Evening messier Error in compelling a share of the spoils Alan Brown's modest long-range effort leveled the scores in injury time.
Now finding themselves three points outside the Championship's top two following a disappointing result at the start of October, Leeds United have the chance to get back to winning ways with Sunderland and the visitors on Friday.
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However, it will be no easy task as the visitors make the short trip across Yorkshire looking to extend their unbeaten start to the league campaign to 10 matches.
Following their relegation from the Premier League last term, Sheffield United began their first ever resurgence under Audi management. Chris WilderAnd despite starting with a two-point deficit, they have enjoyed a good start to the campaign and have returned from their recent hiatus in strong form.
Indeed, the Blades now sit as the only unbeaten team in England's second, third and fourth tiers, amassing 21 points from their nine outings to finish second on 19th. Only conceded three goals in those matches.
Wilder's men return to action on the back of six consecutive clean sheets and back-to-back wins, recovering from a goalless stalemate at Portsmouth to win 1-0 against Swansea City. Josh Dimon A home goal, hosting fellow recently relegated Luton Town, picked up all three points again.
Sheffield United won the match 2-0 at Bramall Lane Jesurun Rag-sakiWin brace, and now sit level with leaders Sunderland and a point above third, as they bid to move clear at the top of the table with a third straight win in Friday's Yorkshire derby.
Leeds United Championship Form:
Sheffield United Championship Form:
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Leeds United will be without key midfielders when they return to action from the international break What a treat And Ilya Groove Friday means injury problems, the arrival of summer Joe Rothwell And In Tanaka Partner from the start for the first time in the championship.
Wings Daniel James And Manor Solomon However, they should be fit to return to the competition after their own layoffs and they face stiff competition to return to the starting XI in Farc's 4-2-3-1 formation.
Mateo Joseph Will bid for a comeback from the start, with Joel Pyro leading the line and scoring in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland before the break. Ramadan holiday, Brendan Aaronson and Willy Knoto.
Chris Wilder should return to the same Sheffield United starting XI that saw them win 2-0 against Luton Town before the international break. Gustavo Hammer Having scored four Championship goals so far this season, he should return to the left side from the start.
He must rejoin Callum O'Hare and Jesurun Rag-Sagi in support of the lone leading man Kiefer Moorewhen Oliver Arplaster Returned to sub from injury setback Vinicius Sousa Luton Town in a full strength midfield pairing for victory.
Despite facing a quick turnaround, it turned out for Australia against Japan on Tuesday, Harry Souter Have to line up again Anel Ahmadotsik In the heart of a back four in front of the stopper Michael CooperHe has conceded one goal in seven matches since arriving from Plymouth Argyle.
Leeds United Possible Starting Line-up:
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; Knonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Pyro
Sheffield United Possible Starting Line-up:
Cooper; Gilchrist, Ahmaddzic, Souter, Burroughs; Arblaster, Souza; Rock-Socky, O'Hare, Hammer; Moore
We say: Leeds United 1-1 Sheffield United
Friday's trip will be the toughest test of Sheffield United's unbeaten Championship record so far this season and we expect a tough contest at Elland Road.
It promises to be a competitive Yorkshire derby between the two sides with plenty of quality all over the pitch.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
