Third visits fourth in the English Football League Championship, as Sheffield United travel a short distance across Yorkshire to take on Leeds United. Leeds got off to a flying start this season, keeping six clean sheets in an unbeaten run of seven league games to top the Championship table. However, their form has gone downhill in recent weeks and they find themselves struggling to prevent falling further down the table.
English Championship – Elland Road, Leeds, Friday 27th October – 19:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 23/10 at Ladbrokes |
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Leeds United
Sheffield UnitedA much-improved performance at Bristol City last weekend saw them end a run of three consecutive defeats with a 3-0 win. That may have stopped the rot, but it remains to be seen if it can reignite their season. Four defeats in six, including a 1-0 loss to Reading in their most recent home fixture, leaves them in fourth place and fighting to not only keep themselves in contention for an automatic promotion place but also prevent the chasing pack catching up. They may be in fourth, but they are the same number of points off the top as they are above thirteenth place. A continuation of their poor form could see them slip down the table in no time at all. Recent League Form – WLLLWL.
Sheffield United
Sheffield United have surprised many people on their return to the Championship, and sit just two points off the top of the table in third place. They have won four of their last five, although only one of those was away from home. On their travels, they have lost three of six and were defeated by Nottingham Forest in their most recent away match.
Although they have lost three on the road this season, that defeat at Forest ended a run of three consecutive away victories and they will be confident of bouncing straight back with a positive result in this match. Two wins on the spin sees them come into this fixture full of confidence and looking to spring somewhat of a surprise, despite their higher league position, on one of their Yorkshire rivals. Recent League Form – WWLWWL.
Head to Head
Incredibly, these sides have only met fifty times. This is despite the first meeting coming all the way back in 1924. Leeds have the advantage, with twenty-one victories, Sheffield United have won thirteen, and sixteen have been draws. The most recent meeting came in March 2011, with Sheffield United picking up a 2-0 home victory. Sheffield United last picked up an away victory at Leeds back in April 2005, although there have only been two meetings at Elland Road since then.
Leeds have actually only picked up one victory in the last seven meetings, stretching back to September 1993.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Leeds are a narrow favourite for this match, despite their recent dip in form. This is mostly due to their home advantage and the fact Sheffield United have lost 50% of their away league matches this season. Ladbrokes have the hosts priced at 6/5, with the visitors at 23/10, and the draw at 23/10. Leeds have only drawn twice this season, with Sheffield United yet to draw, so a winner either way is the most likely outcome here. Therefore, it may pay to back Leeds or Sheffield United in the Double Chance market at odds of 1/3.
Although Leeds have struggled in recent weeks, we think that recent victory at Bristol City could be what they needed to reignite their season and we predict a narrow home victory here. Five of Leeds’ last seven victories over Sheffield United have come by a single goal and we think it’s highly likely there will only be a goal in this match.
So, backing Leeds to win by exactly one goal looks a great value bet at odds of 11/4. Both teams have scored in just two of the last six meetings, so it may be worth backing “no” in the Both Teams to Score market at odds of 1/1. There have also been less than three goals scored in the last four meetings between these sides, so statistically there should be Under 2.5 Goals here. This is also priced at 1/1.
Top Betting Tip
Our top betting tip for this match is a Leeds United win, at odds of 5/4 with Sky Bet.