Sheffield United have overtaken Leeds United to claim first place in the Championship following a tight 1-0 victory over Luton Town away from home on Saturday, with Leeds set to play on Monday.
Earlier on Tuesday night, Leeds had surged ahead of Sheffield United by four points after a dominant 4-0 win at Watford. However, since then, Chris Wilder’s side has had two further matches—first, a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane.
While Leeds will host Sunderland on Monday, both Sheffield United and Burnley played their fixtures on Saturday. Burnley, for instance, had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Preston, inadvertently benefiting Leeds.
Sheffield United’s win was secured thanks to a late goal from Anel Ahmedhodzic, a crucial strike that came amid heavy pressure in the first half from Wilder’s men.
When asked about the implications of their win on Leeds, Wilder couldn’t stop mentioning his rivals. Earlier in the week, he claimed that Leeds’ upcoming match wouldn’t define his team’s season, and on Saturday he reiterated this sentiment. Speaking to the Sheffield Star after the win at Luton, Wilder was questioned about whether the victory might increase pressure on Leeds when they face Sunderland. His response was simple: it wouldn’t affect Leeds.
“Nah, they don’t need pressure. They’ve managed everything well so far. We just have to keep our focus and concentrate. Any successful team has to endure days like this,” he said.
As for the current Championship standings, Leeds now occupy second place, but they have a game in hand compared to Sheffield United and Burnley. While Leeds are aiming to win the championship and secure what would be Daniel Farke’s third title, finishing second would still be a strong outcome.
Although Sheffield United managed to win, it’s crucial for Leeds that Burnley could only manage a goalless draw, which now gives The Whites – and Sunderland – a significant opportunity to capitalize on Monday’s match at Elland Road.
The next eight days are critical for Leeds. They face Sunderland on Monday night, and then, the following week on Monday night, they travel to take on Sheffield United. These two fixtures could very well determine whether Leeds finish in the top two or have to settle for a playoff spot.
