Leeds Utd – Sheffield Utd

In the central match of the round, the visitors will show their best side

Undoubtedly, the central match of the next round of the Championship will take place at Elland Road. The local Leeds United at the beginning of the season systematically makes misfires but continues to be considered among bookmakers as the main favourite for the final first place in the championship. The Peacocks have been planning for promotion since last season, which was their first in the second division after relegation from the Premier League. Leeds United finished third then, but were weaker than Southampton in the play-offs. Sheffield United in the standings is located above the upcoming opponent, but last season ended for the "Blades" with a disastrous departure from the elite division from the last position. Bookmakers have identified the home team as favourites for the upcoming meeting, offering odds of 1.78 on their victory. In the off-season Leeds sold Rutter, Gray, Summerville and Sinisterra. Instead of these players, the Peacocks have bought and loaned several mid-table players who are trying to establish themselves. Leeds almost lost the first game of the football season, scoring a 90+5 minute winner against Portsmouth. The last two months passed for the Peacocks on the schedule "two wins - loss of points". In the round before last Leeds United made peace with Norwich on the opponents' pitch, ending a mini-series of two wins, and supposedly should have beaten Sunderland, but fell out of the schedule. "Black cats" in their home walls got back in the match with Leeds players on 90+7 minutes. After the ignominious departure from the Premier League, Sheffield United was not quoted as one of the favourites to return to the elite division. After three starting rounds, the Blades had five points and just one win, which to some extent confirmed the pessimistic forecasts for this team for the season. However, after being knocked out of the English League Cup in the last game of August, Sheffield United seemed to be replaced. In a month and a half "Blades" played six matches, following which they won five victories and once parted with their opponents in peace. A distinctive feature of the team during this period has been the "cement" defence, which has not conceded a single goal. The guests are ready to compete with the favourites of the match on equal terms.