Leeds United and Sheffield United are set to square off against each other in a top-of-the-table clash at Bramall Lane later tonight. A lot is at stake here for both sides – a win for Leeds could more or less finish the debate over whether they would be earning automatic promotion but three points for the home side will take them to the top of the Championship standings. Burnley also have something at stake in the game as Scott Parker’s side look like the outsiders in the automatic promotion race at this stage. A draw between the two sides could bring the Clarets back into the conversation to finish in one of the top two spots.
The top two Championship sides are focused on preparing for tonight’s big game as they look to take a decisive step towards securing automatic promotion to the Premier League.
However, Burnley’s 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend has ensured that they apply some pressure on both teams ahead of their big game at Bramall Lane tonight.
Burnely are now just two points behind Sheffield United who are second and a home defeat for Chris Wilder’s side will bring the Clarets straight back into the conversation for the automatic promotion spots.
A draw tonight will also be a favourable result for the Clarets who are now desperate to ensure that Leeds and Sheffield do not run away in the automatic promotion race at this stage of the season.
However, Burnley boss Scott Parker has remained calm about the whole thing and seems nonchalant about the big game tonight at Bramall Lane between his rivals.
‘Got no interest in Leeds United and Sheffield United’ – Burnley boss
Burnley have a real stake in what happens tonight at Bramall Lane and Clarets fans will be closely watching the proceedings between Leeds United and Sheffield United.
However, Parker insisted that he has no real interest in what happens between the two teams and stressed that he is not thinking about these two teams’ results.
The Burnley boss admitted that at the start of the season teams looking to get promoted have to get a certain number of points to keep themselves in the conversation and more often than not, if a certain points haul is achieved, a side have more than a good chance of going up.
Parker is only focused on ensuring that his team get that number of points to keep themselves in the hunt.
“I’ve said that to you many a time, I’ve got no real interest. Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I have no real interest in what any other team are doing. Leeds, Sheffield [United], I’ve got no interest”, Parker was quoted as saying by the Burnley Express.
“Every time you start a season, there’s a certain number of points you need to get to and I don’t really care whatever other teams do.
“We need to just focus on what we do and pick up enough points to put us in a position that over the course of the last 15, 20 years of this division if you hit a certain amount of points, it gives you an incredible chance to get promoted. That’s just the sole focus.”
The Burnley fans and Parker will be watching no matter what he says
Parker’s nonchalance about the game between Sheffield United and Leeds tonight is more for the media than what he is actually feeling at the moment.
It is hard to believe that he does not have an eye on the results of his rivals given Burnley are still sitting outside the automatic promotion spots.
At this stage, Burnley seem more likely to catch up to Sheffield United than Leeds, who could be without Manor Solomon at Bramall Lane, but a draw will work brilliantly for the Clarets tonight.
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A defeat for Sheffield United will mean they will be just two points ahead of Burnley and Parker’s side will be breathing down the necks of the Blades for the rest of the season.
Parker might claim that he is not interested in the results but his team need the top two sides to drop points if they are to earn automatic promotion.
No matter what he is saying to the media, Parker and his men will be glued to the television tonight to see what unfolds at Bramall Lane between the top two teams.
