EFL: Leeds v Sheffield United tips, odds, betting preview & TV channel

TV: Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 12.30pm Saturday

None of the top three teams in the Sky Bet Championship are giving an inch in the race for automatic promotion but Leeds can make the picture a little clearer by beating Sheffield United at Elland Road.

Victory for Leeds would lift them to the top of the table for at least a couple of hours and perhaps longer, depending on the outcome of Norwich's trip to Rotherham.

But, more importantly, it would open up a five-point gap to the Blades, who are doggedly holding onto their dream of a top-two finish.

Extra spice is added by the game being a Yorkshire derby and cool heads will be needed because both teams are renowned for playing high-intensity football.

Leeds favour a 4-1-4-1 system while United play a 3-4-1-2, but there are similarities about the way they like to play. Both are used to dominating possession so the midfield battle is going to be crucial.

But Leeds may just have the edge thanks to the extra boost they get from playing in front of a capacity home crowd.

Leeds's home record of 12 wins, three draws and three defeats is the weakest of the top three teams but they often save their best efforts for the biggest games.

In the the televised match against Derby which had been hyped to the maximum following the Spygate scandal, Leeds were dominant in a 2-0 victory. And they played their best football of the season when hammering West Brom 4-0 earlier this month.

Leeds followed that up with impressive wins at Bristol City (1-0) and Reading (3-0) and are continuing to play at a high tempo despite Marcelo Bielsa selecting the same starting side for five successive games.

It may help Leeds that they had such an easy time at Reading in midweek, when they raced into a 3-0 half-time lead.

Sheffield United had it much tougher on Tuesday because centre-forward Gary Madine was sent off in the first half of their 2-0 win at home to Brentford.

The Blades dug deep to take the points despite losing the shot count 29-10 but the contest is likely to have taken a toll on some of the players.

Chris Wilder will make a few changes – he has already announced that top scorer Billy Sharp will return – but his team may be slightly jaded and that could allow Leeds to gain the upper hand.

Sky Bet Championship standings

Recommendation
Leeds
1pt 23-20 general

Team news
Leeds
Jack Clarke (virus) is ready to return after five weeks on the sidelines but Kemar Roofe and Adam Forshaw (both knee) are out.

Sheffield United
No fresh injuries have been reported by Gary Madine is suspended after his red card against Brentford.

Key stat
Leeds have won eight of their last ten home fixtures.

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