“I’m Expecting Nothing Different” – Sheffield United Boss Previews High Stakes Leeds United Clash | OneFootball

Monday evening will see second-place Sheffield United host top-of-the-league Leeds United under the floodlights at Bramall Lane, in what promises to be one of the best games of the Championship season.

With both teams in outstanding form, the stakes couldn’t be higher as Yorkshire rivals clash in a fixture that could have massive implications on the title race.

The Blades come into this highly anticipated fixture with six wins in their last seven games. A victory on Monday night would mark their fifth consecutive win and, crucially, propel them to the top of the table. Chris Wilder’s men have been relentless in their pursuit of promotion, and their recent form has instilled belief among their fans that they can leapfrog Leeds with a statement performance.

Meanwhile, Leeds United make the short trip to South Yorkshire in scintillating form, having not lost in the Championship since late November. Their ability to grind out results was on full display in their last outing against Sunderland. Manager Daniel Farke’s second-half substitutions proved decisive, with Pascal Struijk and Joe Rothwell combining twice to turn the game on its head. Rothwell’s pinpoint deliveries found Struijk for the equaliser in the 78th minute before the Dutch defender bagged the winner in the 95th, sending Elland Road into raptures.

Sheffield United vs Leeds United: Battle For Promotion Part Two?

Chris Basham celebrating his winning goal against Leeds United at Elland Road in the 18/19 season, which led to the collapse of Leeds that season.

The buildup to this match is reminiscent of the 2018/19 campaign when these two clubs were battling for automatic promotion. Back then, Leeds were also heavily tipped to overcome Sheffield United, only for the Blades to defy expectations. In a crucial late-season encounter, Chris Basham’s expertly taken goal secured a vital 1-0 victory for Sheffield United at Elland Road, a result that played a pivotal role in their eventual promotion. Likewise back then, the Whites had a two-point cushion over the Blades, and they also take a two-point advantage into Monday night’s fixture – will history repeat itself?

Chris Wilder Previews Top of Table Clash Between Blades and Leeds

CARDIFF, WALES – DECEMBER 21: Chris Wilder, manager of Sheffield United celebrates in front of the fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City FC and Sheffield United FC at Cardiff City Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is fully aware of the magnitude of the occasion on Monday night, he said in his press conference: “The game takes care of itself. There’ll be no changes in our approach. Everybody in our camp is really looking forward to it. You want to play against the best, and we’ll certainly be doing that on Monday night. People think I’m playing mind games by bigging up Leeds, but I’m not. I just recognise they are a very good team individually and collectively, and they have a very good manager.”

Of course, the buildup to this upcoming game would have been even greater had Sunderland held onto a 1-0 win over Leeds at Elland Road last Monday. However, Farke’s side turned it around in the final 15 minutes of the contest to eventually win the game. Wilder exclaimed, “This is why the teams are at the top of the division. They overcome challenges, they overcome setbacks, and they keep driving forward.”

Naturally, this game has all eyes on it because of it being a Yorkshire derby. But there’s even more added pressure because of it being a top of the table clash, and one that is being deemed a “potential title decider”. However, Wilder doesn’t see it that way.

“There’s a quarter of the season to go. I was looking through it last night in terms of fixtures we’ve got. There’s 30 odd points to play for…No teams are gonna win 10, 11, 12 games. I’d be absolutely astounded if anybody in this division wins the next 13 games. It’s an accumulation of points. You look at what you need to do in terms of if you want to be successful and everyone understands it. Everyone always talks about two points per game. We’re on course to do that. And loads of other teams are on course to do that. There’s loads of games to go. Consistency is the key in results. Of course we want to have consistent performances but different challenges right the way. We’re happy with where we are and we’re comfortable in our own skin. And we’ll just keep cracking on and head down.”

While the outcome of Monday night’s fixture is in question, the atmosphere across Bramall Lane certainly won’t be. And Wilder knows that these types of big games bring out the best in supporters, and then that transfers into energy onto the pitch.

He said: “The atmosphere for the Middlesbrough game was outstanding and we produced a top performance. That goes under the radar. We had to play really well that night, because they are a good team on their day. These games [against Leeds] always take care of themselves, local derby, there’s always a ramp up in emotion and energy and atmosphere, so I’m expecting nothing different.”