We return from the international break precisely how we entered it. Leeds United on a Friday night. Sheffield United are the visitors for this Yorkshire derby Championship clash.
So, if you have no plans to kick off your weekend, whack Leeds v Sheffield United on your tellybox to get you in the mood.
Our tipster, James O’Rourke, has poured over Paddy’s markets for this game and has brewed a Bet Builder to prepare you for club football’s second significant return of the season.
Leeds v Sheffield United Tips
Vinicius Souza to commit 2+ fouls
Ao Tanaka to commit 1+ fouls
Alfie Gilchrist to commit 1+ fouls
Jayden Bogle to be fouled 2+ times
Illian Meslier to make 2+ saves
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WHEN: Friday, 18th of October, 8pm
WHERE: Elland Road, Leeds
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Vinicius Souza to commit 2+ fouls
Last season was a struggle for Vinicius Souza and everyone at Sheffield United. However, he has been the glue that keeps this team together this season. Manager Chris Wilder has started him in every league match mainly because of his effectiveness on the ugly side of the game.
Souza leads the way within The Blades squad in league action for the number of fouls committed. Every successful team needs a player of this nature. He won’t offer much in attack but allows them to flourish. It is never an easy night for any opponent travelling to Elland Road and Souza will likely have a busy time. The Brazilian is joint-top in the squad for bookings this season, which again reflects his style of play.
The 25-year-old has committed two or more fouls in six of his nine league appearances this season. He would even make five fouls in their home victory against Swansea earlier this month. Leeds possess many tricky operators in attack and Souza can be expected to maintain an average of 2.33 fouls committed.
Ao Tanaka to commit 1+ fouls
Injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have opened the door for Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell to form a new central midfielder partnership at Leeds. Tanaka was a summer signing from Fortuna Düsseldorf but hasn’t had much time to settle into his new surroundings. He has started Leeds’ last two and is set for a prolonged run in Daniel Farke’s starting eleven.
The Japan international now plays defensive midfield for the Championship club, similar to Souza at Sheffield United. Therefore, he must get used to being the last line before the defence and breaking up play. Naturally, this increases his prospects of making fouls.
In his previous three club appearances, of which he started two, Tanaka has averaged 1.67 fouls per match. This includes three fouls in the Sunderland match before the international break. He has made twice as many fouls in the last two games compared to Rothwell, which reveals the dynamics of what the Leeds midfield will look like for a while.
Alfie Gilchrist to commit 1+ fouls
The on-loan Chelsea full-back has made a positive start since his switch to the Yorkshire club. He has a strong reputation at his Premier League employers and his first real regular taste of first-team football is only further enhancing that.
Chris Wilder has utilised Gilchrist as a right back and he has slotted seamlessly into the team. Part of his reputation is for being a somewhat firm but fair challenger of the ball, meaning he isn’t afraid to get stuck in.
This will quickly warm him to Blades supporters and the facts and figures back up the reflection that he plays in a rather combative style. That has been the case more recently after initially settling into new surroundings, as he failed to commit a foul only once in his last five appearances.
He will also be coming up against a skilful and unpredictable Leeds left winger in the form of Largie Ramazani. The former Almería man has drawn a foul in the last five displays for The Whites.
Jayden Bogle to be fouled 2+ times
It is a quick reunion for Jayden Bogle, considering he was playing for Sheffield United as recently as May. He will be extra fired up for this contest, but so may the opposition, who could look to leave a little marker on the night.
Undoubtedly, Bogle will likely be booed by the away support every time he touches the ball, which could spur some on the Sheffield United side to make a tackle or two. Even forgetting all of that, he is very much the definition of an attacking full-back, so the opposition may be forced or drawn into making some fouls on him.
Bogle has form in this respect. The recently turned 24-year-old has had at least one foul against him in all bar three Championship encounters this season. Taking a more short-term view, over his last four matches, he has had an average of 2.00 fouls against him.
Knowing this and considering the Yorkshire derby element, there’s every reason that average should be at least maintained on Friday night.
Illian Meslier to make 2+ saves
Illian Meslier probably had his head buried in the sand throughout the international break, considering his mammoth error against Sunderland. There is no sugar-coating it: his error cost his teammates three points, given it was virtually the last moment of the game when the goal he conceded came.
However, he will also be desperate to prove his worth in a big match like this. It could be the perfect scenario for him to redeem himself.
As such, Meslier can be expected to bounce back here. It ultimately comes with a goalkeeper’s job; mistakes will be made. However, the Frenchman is now in his fifth season at the club, being a regular starter, so he is more than experienced and can be relied upon to react in the best possible way.
He has a 76.20% save percentage in Leeds action this season, which can be bettered considering Leeds are ultimately a team that won’t and don’t concede that many shots compared to most. He also has five out of a possible nine league clean sheets, so he tends to do much more suitable for the team than not.
Leeds v Sheffield United Tips
Vinicius Souza to commit 2+ fouls
Ao Tanaka to commit 1+ fouls
Alfie Gilchrist to commit 1+ fouls
Jayden Bogle to be fouled 2+ times
Illian Meslier to make 2+ saves
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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