The win over Sunderland on Monday night left Leeds United at the top of the Championship table but they only have a two-point lead over Sheffield United. The two Yorkshire sides now increasingly look like the teams who will earn automatic promotion and the league title is either going to Elland Road or Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder has put pressure on Leeds to win the Championship but their clash in Sheffield next Monday night is going to be one of the most important games of the season. A win for either side would be massive as the two teams continue to battle for supremacy in the second tier of English football this season.
Leeds United have shifted gears over the last month or so and have been churning out results against seemingly difficult and in-form opponents with comfort and poise.
Sunderland were one of their more difficult games and the home side had to dig deep to come back from behind and win all three points at Elland Road on Monday night.
However, they again showed their pedigree as the outstanding team of the Championship season and the reason they are being considered as the likely candidate to win the league this season.
But only two points separate Leeds from Sheffield United in the Championship table and the Blades hope to wrestle away the top spot of the league next Monday night when the Whites visit Bramall Lane.
However, EFL expert and former Reading captain Jobi McAnuff is not expecting the fixture next week to be the decider for the league title.
‘Leeds United are the best team in the Championship’ – McAnuff
Sheffield United have managed to remain on the coattails of Leeds despite the form the Whites have shown over the last few weeks and the results they have produced.
They are within touching distance of Daniel Farke’s men and a home win next Monday night will take them to the top of the Championship standings.
While it is being built as the league decider, McAnuff insisted that the result at Bramall Lane won’t decide where the trophy will go this season.
However, he stated that Leeds are the best team in the Championship and the win over Sunderland on Monday night has allowed the Whites the luxury of not pushing for a win against Sheffield United.
But he does believe that the result against Sunderland means that Leeds can go to Bramall Lane with confidence and a little less pressure.
McAnuff said on Sky Sports: “I don’t think the game next Monday will decide who is going to win the league.
“What I will say though is that for me Leeds have been the best team in the division this season, but in the game at Bramall Lane, they have to come through. You have to come through those tests.
“I think the result against Sunderland allows them to do what they did ahead of the Burnley game which was to say ‘we are going to try to win the game, but we’re also wary of not losing it’.
“They will be able to go there and sit back if needed, but I expect them to try to control it. I think the psychological impact of the Sunderland win may give them the edge.”
The Bramall Lane trip is not make-or-break for Leeds anymore
The two late goals from Pascal Struijk on Monday night could prove to be two of the most decisive strikes at the end of the Championship season.
It consolidated Leeds’ position at the top of the Championship table while more or less ending Sunderland’s hopes of earning automatic promotion this season.
Daniel Farke won’t be on the touchline at Bramall Lane next Monday after he picked up a ridiculous third yellow card of the season at the end of the Sunderland game.
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However, the Leeds boss and his players will know that they do not need to win at Sheffield United to keep control of the promotion race this season.
Leeds’ 0-0 draw at Burnley a few weeks back kept the Clarets at bay while ensuring that Leeds remained top of the Championship standings.
A similar result at Bramall Lane will mean Leeds remain in charge of their destiny while ensuring Sheffield United need to keep worrying about Burnley behind them.
Chris Wilder and his Sheffield United side need to win the game more than Leeds but it remains to be seen whether the home side will push for three points against the most prolific team of the Championship this season who are scoring for fun at the moment.
