Leeds United are starting to live up to their status as EFL Championship title favourites but face a huge test of mettle after the international break as unbeaten Sheffield United come calling.
The Blades are the only team in the whole league yet to taste defeat and their record of six wins and three draws sees them trail Sunderland at the summit by goal difference only.
Chris Wilder's team would have been sitting top of the pile had Leeds keeper Illan Meslier not made an incredible blunder in the dying seconds of their last game against the Black Cats.
Leeds would have moved level on points with Sunderland had they closed out a 2-1 win instead of Meslier letting two points quite literally slip through his hands.
The Frenchman has been left with a long time to mull over his blunder and it will be interesting to see how he reacts against this dangerous Sheffield United side.
Wilder has helped the Blades bounce back superbly after relegation from the Premier League and if they can stay unbeaten at Elland Road it would be a big statement of title intent.
How the bookies view it: Strange odds for a tight game
This is a tough one to call so I'm surprised to see Leeds United as odds-on favourites at 4/5 with Betano. Sheffield United look overpriced at 16/5 and the draw pays 13/5.
Recent head to head: Leeds out to make it three in a row
Both these teams were in the Premier League when they last faced off four seasons ago and it was Leeds who won both games in that campaign, with the clash at Elland Road ending in a 2-1 victory.
But Sheffield United have edged the head-to-head in the last 12 meetings, with six wins and just four defeats.
Players to watch: Gnonto a bright spark
Italian winger Wilfried Gnonto has been showing his class in recent games and his trickery will cause problems for the Blades. The 20-year-old is 19/10 at Betano to grab his third goal of the season.
Wilder has been chopping and changing in recent weeks but Jesurun Rak-Sakyi looks set to keep his place after scoring a match-winning double last time out against Luton. The Crystal Palace loanee is 9/2 at Betano to chip in with another goal from midfield.
Probable line-ups
Daniel Farke looks set to be without Ilia Gruev, Daniel James, Ethan Ampadu, Manor Solomon and Max Wober. A hat-trick for Spain's Under-21s might see Mateo Joseph get the nod ahead of Joel Piroe up front.
Sheffield United's Tom Davies should miss out again while Jack Robinson is a doubt.
Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Firpo, Struijk, Rodon, Rothwell, Ramazani, Tanaka, Gnonto, Joseph, Aaronson.
Sheffield United: Cooper, Gilchrist, McCallum, Souttar, Ahmedhodzic, Arblaster, Hamer, O'Hare, Rak-Sakyi, Souza, Moore.
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing the half-time draw paid off for me in Leeds United's clash with Sunderland and that bet appeals again at 6/5 with Betfred in what should be another tight clash.
With both teams in good form and boasting plenty of firepower, we should see goals. Combining BTTS and over 2.5 goals gets you to 6/5 in a bet builder with Betfred.
Six yellows were flashed in Leeds' last game, bringing up another bet for me, so it could pay to back another busy day for the ref. Over 52.5 booking points pays 5/4 at Berfred while Blades midfielder Oliver Arblaster is 3/1 at Bet365 to collect a third successive card.
This England Championship match between Leeds United and Sheffield United will be played on Oct 18, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Leeds United vs Sheffield United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
