Monday night sees first travel to second in the Championship as Leeds make the trip to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United.
Will Leeds go five points clear at the top of the table? Or can Chris Wilder’s side leapfrog their counterparts to take top spot?
Our tipster James O’Rourke is all over the clash and he’s got four picks in mind. Let’s get into James’ Bet Builder!
Sheffield United v Leeds Bet Builder tips
Under 2.5 goals
Ben Brereton Diaz to commit 1+ fouls
Jack Robinson to commit 1+ fouls
Jayden Bogle to have 1+ shots on target
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 16/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Monday, 24th of February, 8pm
WHERE: Bramall Lane, Sheffield
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Under 2.5 goals
If it wasn’t for Sheffield United’s two-point deduction before the season began, they’d be heading into this clash with local rivals Leeds United joint top of the Championship. Instead, the away side have a slender two-point advantage with just 13 games remaining. Burnley are hot on their heels in third spot, whereas Sunderland are now out of the automatic promotion race just yet either. It means every point is particularly important, especially when facing a fellow promotion contender. Therefore, a tight and close match is expected at Bramall Lane.
Despite playing attacking football, goals haven’t necessarily followed The Blades this season. Their league contests have only averaged 2.12 goals, which is one of the lowest for any side in the division. However, they’ve still won 22 out of 33, so they certainly know how to win! Over those 33, they’ve kept 18 clean sheets, which is two shy of Leeds’ 20 in the same amount of time. Daniel Farke’s side have lost only 3 league clashes all season, with their last league setback coming in November away at Blackburn.
With little to separate these two, they could quite easily cancel one another out. When two of the best defensive records go head-to-head, opposing goals appears the more logical call.
Ben Brereton Diaz to commit 1+ fouls
Finding a space in the starting eleven for Ben Brereton Díaz has been a little bit of an issue for Chris Wilder. The forward undoubtedly is one of the star names in the Championship and was a massive success the last time when performing at this level with Blackburn before he got his move to Villarreal. Despite signing in January, the former Nottingham Forest man played as a striker and down either wing. It is expected he’ll start on the right side here, meaning he’ll have some defensive duties to do, especially with Leeds a major threat in wide areas.
Along with this, there is no doubt Brereton Díaz has a bit of an edge to his game. It would be no surprise if he tried to wind up a couple of his opponents. Already in his relatively brief second stint back at Bramall Lane has the Southampton loanee managed to attract the attention of referee’s quite regularly. The 25-year-old has made six appearances since returning to Yorkshire, two of which coming from the bench, but he is averaging 1.00 fouls per match. In the Derby and Portsmouth encounters, which he started, he committed two fouls in each battle, as well as being carded versus Pompey.
Jack Robinson to commit 1+ fouls
Jack Robinson is now enjoying a prolonged run in the Sheffield United team, partly due to injuries in this department. However, there is no doubt he is a favourite of Chris Wilder, likely due to the committed nature of his performances. The 31-year-old has been with the club for five years now, so Sheff Utd are firmly in his heart. In a big game like this, emotions could flow, and rates a likely candidate to make at least one foul.
It may surprise many to see Robinson isn’t so high up the squad charts in terms of highest number of fouls made in Championship action this season. However, he didn’t play at all in the league during September and October, which cuts out a big chunk. Still, the defender has started 20 league fixtures this season, during which he has returned a total of 17 fouls made. He has fouled an opponent in each of his last five matches, including twice in the defeat to Hull, who are another Yorkshire rival, just as Leeds are.
Remember, Leeds are one of the best teams in the league and look a Premier League club in all but name. Robinson, like all Blades players, knows the importance of this match, so he’ll likely put everything on the line to try and get a talented opposition attack at bay.
Jayden Bogle to have 1+ shots on target
Someone who is likely to be in line for some jeers from the home crowd is Leeds right back Jayden Bogle, who left Sheffield United for Elland Road last summer. He has certainly wasted no time in making this position his own under Daniel Farke. Only Illan Meslier and Joe Rodon have started more Championship games than him this season across the squad, such is his importance. Although part of a back four, it is in attacking where the 24-year-old has really excelled this season. His partnership down the right with Daniel James makes this probably the best wide pairing in the league.
Bogle has four league goals to his name, which is good going from his particular position. Across his 31 league displays, the ex-Derby County youngster has returned 31 shots, which is obviously an average of 1.00 per game. 11 of those have been shots on target, meaning 33.33% of the time he works the goalkeeper. He’ll be so desperate to get one over his former club, especially as he’ll get a less than friendly welcome back from the Blades fans all game long!
Across his last 12 appearances in league action, Bogle has hit an effort on target in six of them. Considering this is a defender, it has to be worth a shot in this Monday night affair.
Sheffield United v Leeds betting tips
Under 2.5 goals
Ben Brereton Diaz to commit 1+ fouls
Jack Robinson to commit 1+ fouls
Jayden Bogle to have 1+ shots on target
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 16/1 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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