Leeds United vs Sheffield United
Leeds United are set to return to Premier League action with a big Yorkshire derby against bottom-club Sheffield United.
The Whites will be keen to continue their improved run of form which saw them pick up a couple of good results just before the break.
Meanwhile, the Blades look set for the drop as they remain 13 points from safety with just nine games left. They are also coming off a 5-0 thrashing against Leicester last time out.
But Marcelo Bielsa’s side is unlikely to take pity on the Blades as they look to do the derby double over their Yorkshire rivals.
Talking Points
Leeds back on track
After a disastrous run of Premier League 2021 results which saw them lose four in five games, Leeds United have started to turn things around. They held Thomas Tuchel’s terrific Chelsea side to a goalless draw at Elland Road and beat Fulham 2-1 away from home just before the international break.
Patrick Bamford shook off an injury he picked up against Chelsea and produced a terrific performance against Fulham. He scored his 14th goal of the season, and then added his sixth assist when he set up Raphinha for the winning goal.
Bamford and Raphinha have been Leeds’ two standout players this season, combining for 20 goals and 11 assists.
Stuart Dallas has started in midfield in the last two games, and he is likely to keep his place with Mateusz Klich testing positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with Poland.
Kalvin Phillips is also expected to keep his place in defensive midfield despite a busy break which saw him start all three of England’s World Cup qualifiers.
Captain Liam Copper did not take part in international duty with Scotland due to a recent injury, but he is back in training. Although, it remains to be seen whether Cooper will immediately reclaim his place in the starting XI or if Bielsa will stick with Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk as his central defensive partnership.
Sheffield United set for the drop
Sheffield United’s fate is all but sealed. The Premier League 2021 odds have them heavily favoured to go down to the Championship as they still sit in last place with just nine games to go.
The Blades have lost back-to-back games since the departure of manager Chris Wilder. They were absolutely thrashed 5-0 away to Leicester, easily their heaviest defeat of the season. They put up more of a fight away to Chelsea in the FA Cup, but they still lost 2-0.
As if things couldn’t get any worse for interim manager — and ex-Leeds boss — Paul Heckingbottom, Sheffield United will enter this derby against Leeds with a long list of injuries.
They could be without up to eight players, including starting centre-backs John Egan and Chris Basham, and Billy Sharp, the team’s second-leading scorer with three goals. Left-back Enda Stevens is the latest to pick up an injury while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
David McGoldrick, the team’s top scorer with six goals, made his return from his injury layoff against Chelsea and will be expected to carry the Blades’ blunt attack. He scored the winner in their 1-0 win over Aston Villa. That was Sheffield United’s only goal in their last seven matches.
History
This Yorkshire derby between Leeds and Sheffield United has been quite a competitive one over the years. Leeds hold a slight 31-29 edge in terms of overall wins, while there have been 23 draws.
Leeds came out on top in their first Premier League derby since 1994 back in September. Patrick Bamford’s header was enough to hand the Whites a hard-fought 1-0 away win.
Betting Tip
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Leeds United vs Sheffield United | Leeds United Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.96 |
| April 3, 22:00 (GMT+8) |
SBOTOP odds have Leeds installed as overwhelming 1.51 favourites at home against Sheffield United, who are priced at 6.20 to pull off the upset. A draw is 4.10.
Leeds have not been the free-scoring side that they were earlier in the season, but this matchup against Sheffield United is the perfect opportunity for them to turn up the style.
Bamford and Raphinha should be sufficiently rested after the lengthy break, and Bielsa should have them ready to run the Blades ragged. As a result, the Whites should run out quite comfortable winners at home against an injury-hit Sheffield United side.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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