Sheffield United

Fair to say that Leeds' last-gasp victory over Sunderland was huge ahead of this game?

With just two points separating these two Yorkshire rivals at the top of the Championship, leaders Leeds go into this unbeaten in 15 league games and can go five clear at the summit with a win.

But they won't have boss Daniel Farke on the touchline at Bramall Lane after he picked up a yellow card following his goal celebrations in the Sunderland win.

Sheffield United have won their past four league games and will leapfrog the Whites into top spot if they pick up the three points.

• Sheffield United have lost each of their past two home league games against Leeds 1-0 - as many defeats as across their prior 13 at Bramall Lane combined (W6 D5).

• Leeds have won each of their past three league games against Sheffield United, last winning more in succession against the Blades between 1990 and 1992 (six games).

• Sheffield United have won seven of their past eight Championship matches (L1), with their other game in that run a 3-0 home Yorkshire derby defeat by Hull in January. The Blades are looking to win five league games in a row for the first time since December 2022.

• Leeds are unbeaten in each of their past 15 league matches (W11 D4), equalling their best unbeaten run under Daniel Farke (first 15 games of 2024). The Whites last had a longer unbeaten streak between October and February in their 1991-92 top-flight title-winning campaign (16).

• Daniel James is averaging 3.6 shots per 90 minutes for Leeds in the Championship in 2024-25, the highest ratio by a Whites player in a league season (min. 1000 minutes) since Patrick Bamford in 2019-20 (3.7). James has scored three goals in his past four away Championship appearances - as many as he scored in his first 45 away games in the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is expecting a tough game against Leeds on Monday but refused to be drawn on the implications for the Championship title race.

Daniel Farke's side head to Bramall Lane two points clear of the Blades at the top of the table.

But Wilder insists there is a long way to go and the result will not be too damaging to either side.

"The game takes care of itself," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield. "Everyone wants to play against the best and that is what we'll be doing on Monday.

"We've done it our way, Leeds have done it their way. But there is a quarter of the season to go, 30-odd points [39] to play for. Consistency is the key.

"I'd be astounded if any team in our division wins the next 13 games. Everyone talks about two points per game, we are on course for that and so are other teams.

"If you are talking about the second, third or fourth last game of the season, you could say that has swung it the way of one team or the other, I'd understand that."

Wilder also heaped praise on Leeds after their late comeback win against another promotion rival, Sunderland, this week.

"I know they lost some players but they recruited well and have a settled side. They are a huge football club, a very good team collectively, individually and have a good manager.

"People say I'm playing mind games but I'm not. They are swatting everyone away pretty comfortably.

"When you are successful, you are challenged all the time, playing different styles, dealing with injuries, suspensions, loss of form. You have to overcome them, and Leeds overcame a tough side the other night.

"They had more possession and shots but they still had to get the points. This is why the best teams are at the top."

You can listen to Chris Wilder's pre-match thoughts on BBC Sounds.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United may have spent eight figures on Tom Cannon in January and brought Chile international forward Ben Brereton Diaz back to the club, but they have also unearthed a surprising new striker in the race for Championship promotion.

Step forward central defender Anel Ahmedhodzic.

After claiming the clinching goal in last week's superb 3-1 win against play-off contenders Middlesbrough, the Bosnian Blade admitted it had "felt weird" not being a threat in front of goal this season but he hoped his well-timed header would start a trend of scoring goals.

Well, the 25-year-old now has two in two after bagging the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 victory at struggling Luton Town - a classy finish that any United forward would have been proud to score.

Ahmedhodzic beat the offside trap, cushioned Callum O'Hare's looping pass perfectly with his right instep and readjusted his body to finish beyond Hatters keeper Thomas Kaminski in front of the delirious travelling Blades fans.

The goals have been timely and deserved for the Bosnian who bagged seven times in his debut season with the club in 2022/23, the last time United ascended to the Premier League.

But it's the Swedish-born defender's return to form more generally that's delighted everyone at Bramall Lane.

Ahmedhodzic was a vital part of Paul Heckingbottom's promotion side, impressing everyone with his calmness on the ball, his old-fashioned defending and his marauding runs forward.

Many were excited to see him step up to the top flight, but like most of the United squad, he struggled.

The Blades shipped over 100 goals and Ahmedhodzic, along with the club as a whole, needed a reset, with many expecting him to leave last summer.

A public row with the Bosnian FA and his father at the start of this campaign seems to have played a part in reconnecting Ahmedhodzic with the Blades supporters.

They backed the 24-cap international online and in the stands after he and his family received abuse following his withdrawal from the Bosnian squad over a medical disagreement. The situation, at least in the short term, led to the 25-year-old retiring from international duty.

By his own words after beating Boro last week, Ahmedhodzic is currently loving life at Bramall Lane: "What a group we are. I think the team spirit has never been better. Everyone loves each other. It just feels really good to be part of this team and I'm very happy to be here, very."

The season-ending injury for loanee Harry Souttar was a significant defensive blow for Sheffield United at Christmas time but the re-emergence of Ahmedhodzic is huge for the Blades chances of achieving a third promotion in six years.

On-loan Sheffield United defender Rob Holding has said that the club have made it easy for him to slot in since joining from Crystal Palace in January.

Holding has made two appearances off the bench for the Blades and has adapted quickly to his new surroundings.

"I've been here for two weeks now and just slotting into the vibes around the changing room, the training ground and Bramall Lane has been so welcoming," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I can feel that good energy and slotting in where I can has been very easy, the team have made it that."

The 29-year-old told spoke about his decision to join Chris Wilder's side having been frozen out at Palace under Oliver Glasner, with his only appearances this season coming in the EFL Trophy for the Under-21 side.

"I was in a bit of a weird place where I was in my career and I needed a team to take a chance on me," he added.

"I know my abilities and I know what I can bring to this team and to be fair to Sheffield United they took a chance because I've not played in so long. If I can repay that then all the better and that's what I'm going to try and do."

The former Arsenal defender also touched on the potential of him staying with the Blades for longer.

"Potentially yeah, it's always going to be a discussion in the summer and we can see what happens," he said. "But it's just something that I'm just enjoying in the moment right now and enjoying this journey with the team."

Holding who signed until the end of the season came off the bench at half-time in Saturday's 1-0 win at Luton and praised their performance as the three points took them back to the top of the Championship.

"We knew it was going to be tough, it's a very tight stadium with a lot of long balls, direct balls and fights for first and second balls, so we had to be up for that then we find a bit of quality and find a goal," Holding said.

"The lads never give up and the fans behind the goal wanting the ball in the net as well so that helped us in that momentum."

Image source, PA Media

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after his side beat bottom club Luton Town 1-0 to return to the top of the Championship.

When asked about it not being a pretty win, Wilder responded by saying: "That's the understatement of the season.

"Their approach to it, from the off – especially when we saw the team sheet with a few of the experienced boys – we talked about having to expect the Luton Town of old," he continued.

"It was everything from the year they went up, it was everything in the Premier League that Premier League teams struggled to cope with - the two centre forwards. It came long from the off, we saw it went straight back to the goalkeeper and bang on top of you. And every free-kick was on top of you.

"You just have to deal with it and, at times, it's really difficult to come out of it and try play your natural, normal game. We tried at times, but they were massively up for it.

"The target on our back, because of the position that we are in and because it was Sheffield United against Luton Town, it never felt like a team at the top of the division versus a team that was rock bottom.

"You have to show different qualities for different games if you want to be successful, and we showed huge personality and huge character."

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has said there is more to come from Tom Cannon, who is a fitness doubt for the Blades' trip to Luton on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The 22-year-old arrived in a reported £10m move from Leicester in January but, after netting 11 goals in 25 games on loan at Stoke earlier this season, he is yet to find the net in four starts for United.

Cannon was replaced at half-time of Wednesday's win over Middlesbrough and was spotted in a protective boot after the game.

Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast: "We'll give him as much time as possible to get on the bus.

"Obviously it's a quick turnaround. Tom rolled his ankle in about the first five minutes, but what I will say is he had to be dragged off at half-time - the medical guys made the decision on that, not him.

"He was in a bit of discomfort and pain but these things can settle down pretty quickly and hopefully it will do."

Wilder continued: "He's played his part in a team that's won three games on the spin.

"There's more to come from him, we have to be patient, we can't rush. Everybody wants instant [success], but we know what he gives to the team and his team-mates know.

"He's a young centre-forward, he stretches the game, opens it up, the press was magnificent from our point of view [against Middlesbrough]. It allowed us to create chances and control the game and ultimately get that big win."

Gus Hamer was also withdrawn on Wednesday with a minor hamstring injury but Wilder hopes the problem is not too serious.

Luton sit bottom of the Championship table ahead of the visit of high-flying Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

With leaders Leeds not in action until Monday, the Blades could return to the top of the table with a victory, having closed the gap to two points with Wednesday night's 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane.

The Hatters are 10 games without a win in all competitions, last tasting victory on 20 December against Derby County, and are on the verge of unwanted history as Chris Wilder's side come to town.

• Luton Town have lost each of their past two Football League games against Sheffield United; they never lost three successive league games against the Blades before.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten on their four previous Football League trips to Luton this century (W1 D3), winning last time out 3-1 in the Premier League in February 2024.

• Luton are winless in their past three home league games (D1 L2), failing to score in each of those games; they've never failed to score in four straight home league games in the Football League.

• No side has won more away league games in the Championship this season than Sheffield United (9), including five wins in their last six games (L1). Indeed, victory here would be the fastest they've ever recorded 10 away wins in a Football League campaign (17th game).

• Luton's Carlton Morris has scored three goals in his last four league appearances against Sheffield United, with him only netting more Football League goals against Coventry (4).

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield journalist

Image source, Rex Features

"Are you not entertained?" screamed Maximus in the epic film Gladiator after dispatching his latest opponents in front of a baying crowd.

Well, that might as well have been Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder after his side delivered a scintillating performance of style and substance in putting Middlesbrough to the sword at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night.

Wilder had bristled in his pre and post-match media interviews after questions were raised by supporters over the manner in which the Blades beat Portsmouth last weekend.

One United fan even messaged BBC Radio Sheffield to say football is all about being entertained… win, lose or draw.

Pompey by all accounts were the better team, with the better chances, but crucially it was United who found the moments of quality to win the game.

It prompted Chris Wilder to say ahead of facing former employers Boro that he would "rather have a team that's mentally strong and wants to win than a team that's milky and soft".

Well, there was nothing milky or soft about the way the Blades dismantled Middlesbrough.

Wilder left a couple of new signings on the bench as impact players and reverted to the 4-2-3-1 that's served the team well for the majority of the season, with Callum O'Hare, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Sydie Peck returning to the starting XI to help deliver one of the performances of the season.

Rome wasn't built in a day – and this season remains a rebuild for the Blades – but Wilder is re-establishing a red and white legion capable of invading the Premier League for a third time in six years.

Effective, exciting… and entertaining.

Adam Cottier
BBC Final Score reporter

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United exerted power and intensity to claim their 21st Championship win of the season on Wednesday night.

Chris Wilder is keen to use his whole squad to make sure they get over the line, and, after some January recruitment, he has plenty of options at his disposal. Not many teams will be able to call upon a player with the ability of Ben Brereton Diaz, for example, to aid such a win like the loanee forward did against Middlesbrough.

But it's one of the emerging talents of the EFL who may be a key component in their quest for a swift return to the Premier League: Sydie Peck.

Peck dominated the midfield areas against Middlesbrough, complimenting players like Gus Hamer, who also shone in a Bramall Lane thriller.

Peck's measured-through pass for Brereton Diaz's goal underlined his excellent technical ability and vision; his all-round play exudes balance, awareness and stamina. He appeared constantly involved and engaged in the game. A colossal presence.

Wilder will have been glad he chose to bring Peck - who is just 20 - back into his team for such a frenetic game. He has been named in all 32 Blades matchday squads in the Championship this year, making 20 starts and eight sub appearances, and earning a call-up for England under-20s before Christmas.

The former Arsenal youngster was given a standing ovation and had his name sung when he was taken off near the end. He deserved it.

Wilder later told me in his press conference that he enjoyed Peck's contest with Boro's Hayden Hackney, a contest Peck dominated too.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield he was delighted with his side's response against Middlesbrough after accusing them of arrogance in Saturday's below-par win over Portsmouth.

"We reviewed and reflected after the weekend and they've come roaring back, so I'm delighted," he said.

"They've taken on board how we wanted to play. That was more us tonight, There was a real good feel about us.

"I thought we controlled possession, our out of possession work was excellent and we got the press spot on.

"We made it difficult for a team that dominates the majority of teams in this division and creates big chances, and I can only think of one chance second half that they had.

"We had to regroup and reset after the ridiculous decision for the penalty. There'd be five or 10 penalties a game if that was the case.

"The decision rocked us a little bit for five minutes, but we reset in the changing room at half-time and we had to keep our cool and discipline and still play, and we did that so I'm delighted.

"We had to put a big performance in tonight. We knew we had to be close to, if not at, our best to get a result because they're a really good side."

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield as they prepare to host Middlesbrough on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines:

• On a winning mentality: "I'd rather have a team that's mentally strong and tough and wants to win than a team that's milky and soft that plays beautiful football. End of conversation. I'm a winning football manager."

• He added: "It's still an early part of the build. We are there because we've got that attitude that the supporters want to see. When they walk out the ground, we are a winning football club. A lot of teams would swap that in a heartbeat - and some big clubs."

• There are no additional injuries to the squad that beat Portsmouth at the weekend and will be boosted by the return of Tom Davies for the game against Boro.

• Striker Kieffer Moore is expected to return on Saturday, while wing-back Femi Seriki is around "a week or two away" and right-back Jamie Shackleton is back in training.

• On new transfers: "I was maybe too enthusiastic and too hopeful that we'd absolutely hit the ground running in terms of these players - but we'll get better."

• He added: "The players that have come in are good players. They want to learn, they want to adjust and adapt and they will. It might be a little bit rollercoaster-ish towards now and the end of the season but as long as we keep our attitude about winning games of football, having that mentality, then we might give ourselves the opportunity of getting towards the points total that makes us successful."

• On Middlesbrough: "Really difficult opponents; control possession, create big changes. A good side and it's going to be a really interesting game."

You can listen to the full press conference on BBC Sounds

Sheffield United eye a place at the top as they host play-off contenders Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening (20:00 GMT).

The Blades could see themselves at the apex of the table should current leaders Leeds United fall to Watford on Tuesday, with just two points separating the two teams at the top.

While a win for Middlesbrough could see them back in the play-off spots.

• Sheffield United have won six of their last eight home league games against Middlesbrough (L2), though did lose this exact fixture 3-1 when it was last played in February 2023.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 in October, Middlesbrough will be looking to record just a second league double over Sheffield United since the 1987-88 season (also 2010-11).

• Sheffield United lost their last midweek home game in the Championship (0-2 v Burnley in December), after having won each of the previous four without conceding a single goal.

• Middlesbrough have lost three of their last four league games (W1), more than they had in their previous 13 combined, while they've lost each of their last two. They haven't lost three in a row since December 2023.

• Delano Burgzorg has scored in each of his last two Championship appearances, scoring as many goals in those games (2) as he had in his previous 31 Championship games combined.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admitted his side had dodged dropped points when he spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after the 2-1 win over Portsmouth.

"We weren't very good today and it's as simple as that," he said.

"It was one we escaped with because we have the ability to win a game of football when we don't play very well.

"They were better than us in all departments, first and second balls. It wasn't anything about tactics today, it was about an attitude towards the game which I told them at half-time.

"We looked to short-cut the game which is really surprising and we won't do that again.

"There's an arrogance about us. I want us to have belief, I want us to be confident, I want us to stick our chest out and believe we're a good team because we are - we've won as many games as anyone in the division and sit on 60-odd points."

"The reaction in the second half was better, even though it wasn't to my liking, but there's a little bit of arrogance about us which I talked about at half-time and we can't afford to let that happen.

"If we think that is going to be the stock standard performance from our point of view then we're going to get hurt and we're not going to achieve anything."

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he is "delighted" with how Rob Holding has settled in since joining on loan from Crystal Palace.

The 29-year-old former Arsenal defender signed for the Blades until the end of the season on transfer deadline day and Wilder said the door is open for the move to become permanent.

"Rob is just a straight loan until the end of the season but certainly somebody that we would be interested in if the loan goes well," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"As we have talked about in terms of all the players that we've brought in, whether it's Hamza [Choudhury], whether it's Ben Brereton Diaz.

"Harry Clarke as well, he's not been in the frame at Ipswich and he wants to play first-team football.

"We've been delighted with all the boys, so there is always that medium to longer term view with all the players that we bring in."

Wilder praised Holding's "outstanding career" and said he will be involved in the Championship fixture against Portsmouth on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"You don't get signed by a club like Arsenal if you haven't got anything about you and aren't a little bit special," Wilder added.

"As sometimes happens, a situation at Palace where he was not involved and we've taken advantage of that.

"Everybody has been impressed with Rob and his early days at Sheffield United."

Listen to Chris Wilder's pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

Sheffield United will be hoping to keep their quest for automatic promotion on track when they welcome Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT).

The Blades bounced back from a surprise 3-0 defeat at home to Hull City with a 1-0 win at Derby last time out and will move back into the top two with victory.

Pompey are without a win in three (D1 L2) but are three points above the drop zone in 20th position.

• Sheffield United have won just one of their past four league games against Portsmouth (D1 L2), scoring just one goal in total across those matches.

• Portsmouth have failed to win any of their past 23 away league games against Sheffield United (D4 L19), since a 3-1 win in the top-flight in November 1955.

• After a run of nine consecutive home wins between September and December in which they didn't concede a single goal, Sheffield United have won just one of their past four at Bramall Lane (D1 L2), conceding six goals in the process.

• Portsmouth have lost each of their past six away league games, last having a longer run between November 2005 and March 2006 in the Premier League (9).

• In no 15-minute period (1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90) have Sheffield United scored more league goals this season than in the opening 15 minutes (10). Meanwhile, in no period have Portsmouth conceded more than in this timeframe (12).