Sheffield Utd vs. Leeds: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Leeds are unbeaten away from home in their last seven games and aren't easy to beat. However, the Blades are in good shape heading into this one and won't roll over as easily as they did when the two sides met at Elland Road. These two sides lead the four-horse automatic promotion race and get the feeling that both teams would ultimately settle for a draw, so we think the spoils will be shared on Monday night. Sheffield United 1-1 Leeds.

We have a crunch clash in the automatic promotion race in the Championship on Monday night as Leeds United lock horns with Sheffield United.

• Date: 24/02/2025
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: Bramall Lane, Sheffield

Sheffield United are currently 2nd in the Championship with 70 points from 33 games. The Blades are enjoying a very strong season in England's second tier, and they're actually the team that's accumulated the joint-most points so far. Chris Wilder's side began the season with a two-point deduction and were making up ground from the word go, so if you factor that in, they've technically been the joint-best team in that league if you measure it by that specific metric.

They have, though, been less convincing than Leeds on the whole, who beat Sheffield United on performance levels by every other metric besides points accrued. The Blades frequently find ways to win games that they're second best in, and while that is impressive, you get the impression they're more prone to a potential late season collapse than the other sides involved in the race.

However, Chris Wilder has a high number of match winners in his side. From Gustavo Hamer and Ben Brereton Diaz to Jerusun Rak-Sakyi and Tyrese Campbell, the Blades have many sources of goals from different areas of the pitch.

When these two sides last met, Leeds ran out 2-0 winners in what was a dominant performance on the whole. The Blades will need to give a far better account of themselves here if they're to get anything out of the game, and it's safe to say the pressure is on them now.

Leeds United are currently top of the Championship with 72 points from 33 games. Leeds are having a fantastic season and very much look like they're en route to sealing automatic promotion to the Premier League. Leeds have the highest expected goals rate in the league, at 1.80xG per game, and the lowest expected goals against rate, at 0.83xGA per game. Their goal difference is also +48, which is the best in the league by a distance. Leeds are almost inarguably the best side in the league, and it's hard to imagine them not sealing promotion this time around.

Leeds suffered a late-season collapse at the back end of the last campaign that nuked their automatic promotion hopes, but different to last season, the Peacocks have become stronger as the season has progressed, and right now, they're arguably at the strongest level they've been all season.

After this game, Leeds will have played all three of their automatic promotion rivals twice, and should they get a result here, they'll feel as though they have a clear and open run to seal the deal. As previously mentioned, Leeds were comfortably the better side when the two sides last met, and with most of the pressure on Sheffield United's shoulders here, they'll feel confident about their chances.

This game will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event.

Sheffield United Team News:

Sheffield United will be without Kieffer Moore, Oliver Arblaster, Jamie Shackleton and Sai Sachdev, who remains out for the season.

Gustavo Hamer is also a doubt for the Blades, who will likely make a few changes for this one.

Predicted lineup: Cooper; Clarke, Ahmedhodžić, Robinson, Burrows; Peck, Souza; Rak-Sakyi, O'Hare, Brereton Diaz; Campbell.

Leeds United Team News:

Leeds are doing very well on the injury front, with Patrick Bamford and Maximilian Wöber the two only likely absentees for this one.

Pascal Struijk is likely to come into the starting XI after a brace off the bench last time out, but that could be the only change to the starting lineup.

Predicted lineup: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Tanaka; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe.

Sheffield United:

Sheffield United are in very good form, with Chris Wilder's men having won four and lost one of their last five games. Last time out, a late goal from centre-back Anel Ahmedhodžić produced a late win over Luton Town, a result that followed an impressive 3-1 win over Middlesbrough thanks to goals from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Ben Brereton Diaz and Ahmedhodžić.

Before that, the Blades beat Portsmouth 2-1 thanks to goals from Gustavo Hamer and Rak-Sakyi, which came after a 1-0 win over Derby County - with the goal coming from Brereton Diaz - and a 0-3 defeat to Hull City.

Leeds:

Leeds United's form is very strong, with Daniel Farke's side winning four and losing one of their last five. Leeds secured one of the biggest wins of their season last Monday as a late brace by Pascal Struijk was enough to see them beat promotion rivals Sunderland 2-1.

Prior to that, a Dan James brace alongside goals from Manor Solomon and Joël Piroe saw them hammer Watford 4-0 away from home, a result that was preceded by a 0-2 loss to Millwall in the FA Cup.

Those results were preceded by a 2-0 win over Coventry City, thanks to Piroe and Jaden Bogle, and a 7-0 win against Cardiff City, courtesy of Brendan Aaronson, Solomon, James, Piroe (X2), Wilfried Gnonto and Mateo Joseph.

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