Leeds United vs Sheffield United: A look at the last three battles between Yorkshire rivals
The Yorkshire derby between Leeds United and Sheffield United takes place at Elland Road on Friday, and it is the first meeting between these clubs since 2021.
Sheffield United are the only side to remain unbeaten so far in the Championship this season as they sit in second place in the table, level on points with leaders Sunderland.
Leeds, meanwhile, have had a mixed start to the season having suffered recent long-term injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev as they currently occupy fifth place in the league standings.
The Whites are also still recovering from Illan Meslier’s howler that cost them the three points last time out at the Stadium of Light.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harry Whitfield looks back on the previous three meetings between the Yorkshire rivals.
Leeds United 2 Sheffield United 1
The last time these two sides met they were both in the Premier League during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw teams play in front of empty stadiums.
Leeds came out on top in this affair after they took the lead in the first half, when Raphinia’s cut-back across goal found Jack Harrison to tap into an empty net.
United responded just before the break when Oli McBurnie’s effort deflected into the path of the on-rushing Ben Osborn to power home as Luke Ayling couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line.
In the second half, Leeds took the lead again as Phil Jagielka turned Harrison’s cross into his own net and the three points went to the home side.
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Sheffield United 0 Leeds United 1
Earlier in the season, the two sides met at Bramall Lane where Leeds came out on top thanks to a Patrick Bamford header.
The home side had their chances but were denied by a stellar performance from Leeds goalkeeper Meslier, and he superbly kept out a powerful effort from point-blank range by John Lundstram.
Both sides continued to threaten as Stuart Dallas had an effort cleared off the line and Jack Robinson headed agonisingly wide for the Blades.
The breakthrough eventually came, but for Leeds as Rodrigo played a ball out wide to Harrison and he looped a cross over to Bamford who headed down back across goal into the net as Aaron Ramsdale dived the wrong way.
Leeds United 0, Sheffield United 1
This was the last meeting between the sides in the Championship and the last victory in this derby for Sheffield United.
Current Blades boss Chris Wilder was in charge for the last three meetings in this derby during his first spell with the club.
Former Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa was in command for Leeds the last three times these two sides met.
Bielsa led the Whites on a promotion charge in his first season, however it all came undone when they lost to United at Elland Road.
Leeds were on top and had their best chance when Tyler Roberts struck the post in the second half, but the visitors defended well and soon took the lead.
Liam Cooper couldn’t handle Billy Sharp and the forward found Chris Basham as he calmly slotted the ball across goal into the bottom corner.
The home side’s misery was compounded when Kiko Casilla brought down Sharp after Cooper’s bizarre attempt at a clearance, and the keeper was sent off.
The Whites would eventually miss out on automatic promotion to United by six points, eventually leading to their play-off heartbreak defeat to Derby County.
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