Writer: Oliver Jacobs
A heavyweight clash awaits Leeds on Saturday as they welcome Yorkshire rivals and promotion hopefuls Sheffield United. Both sides come into this momentous fixture in terrific form and with both sides desperate to boost their automatic promotion hopes this game is set to be a cracker.
Elland Road is the venue for this clash and the Leeds players will be hoping the fans can create a spine-tingling cauldron like previous games this season, West Brom, a prime example. Leeds headed into that game low on confidence, having just been narrowly beaten against strugglers QPR at Loftus Road. However Pablo Hernandez’s beautiful strike set Leeds on their way in that encounter. The bubbling atmosphere on that special Friday night gave Leeds a huge lift right from the off.
In sharp contrast to that game, the Whites’ are in superb form this time around as they welcome Chris Wilder’s men on Saturday lunchtime. Leeds have gained maximum points since that disappointing defeat in London, at the hands of mid-table QPR and are yet to concede a goal since Luke Freeman scored in that match.
Leeds fans, staff and players alike will be hoping for a repeat of the reverse fixture this season.
Leeds travelled to Bramall Lane in November and gained maximum points courtesy of the ever-present, magical Pablo Hernandez. Leeds lost the possession battle for the first time this season on that day, however still ran out 1-0 victors despite a late scare, as Conor Washington struck the cross bar.
This game also signifies an unchanged line up for Leeds for the sixth consecutive game. Momentum, form and tactics all go out the window in a game of this magnitude, it’s all about who wants it more.
Another chapter in the race for Premier League football will be written at Elland Road on Saturday.
Will it be Bielsa’s boys on their way? Or Wilder’s men on the march?