Sheffield United aim to end a two-match losing streak against Leeds United on Saturday. Both teams are Premier League promotion hopefuls, yet neither is in good form.
Sheffield United suffered a 3-0 away loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers a weekend ago. Meanwhile, Leeds United are in their worst run of form of the season. Leeds are winless in six matches in the Championship. The club is reeling off the pitch as well as fan anger over the new Leeds crest is still raging.
Leeds sacked manager Thomas Christiansen on Sunday following a 4-1 loss to Cardiff City. Paul Heckingbottom is expected to be appointed this week in time for the club's away match at Sheffield. If Heckingbottom doesn't take the position, however, the team may not have a permanent manager in the role come Saturday.
The Whites were promotion favourites early in the season, but there are chinks the team's armour currently. Leeds are +4 in scoring this term, and despite scoring six goals in their last six matches, the team doesn't put many balls in the back of the net per game. The White's average just 1.4 goals per game as the side manages fewer than 12 shots a match.
Sheffield United are coming off of two straight losses. The Blades have slid from the promotion places and find themselves five points outside of the playoffs. Sheffield United have gone cold in front of goal as the team has failed to score in both losses. Just like Leeds, Sheffield average 1.4 goals per match and fewer than 12 shots. If the Blades want to make the promotion playoffs, they must improve in front of goal quickly. The side is just +6 in goal differential. Many of the stats Sheffield United and Leeds United have accumulated mirror one another.
Sheffield United won the reverse fixture on October 27th. David Brooks scored an 81st minute winner after the two sides traded goals in the first half. Just before Brooks' goal, Leeds nearly took the lead. However, forward Samuel Saiz struck the woodwork. The first encounter saw Leeds not register a corner kick during the 90 minutes as eight yellow cards were accumulated in the match.
Sheffield United have not won in their last three home matches. The Blades have lost two of those matches and failed to score in all three. Leeds have failed to win their last three away games and have lost two of those. Like Sheffield United, Leeds have failed to score in all three of those away matches. These teams are reflections of the other.
Both teams are playing terrible football currently. However, Leeds seem to be in turmoil as a new manager has not been appointed at the time of writing. Sheffield United should edge the Whites and reignite their promotion hopes.