The race for promotion to the Premier League is one of the biggest footballing talking points across English media right now with Leeds United, Sheffield United and Burnley separated by two points.
Sunday’s defeat to Portsmouth has thrown the Championship promotion race into a mini 10-game season. Joey Barton believes the race to go up is now wide open after Leeds suffered a fourth defeat.
Leeds are level on points with Sheffield United but still top thanks to their goal difference, which is almost double Chris Wilder’s side – 49 to 24. Burnley are two points behind on 74, after beating Luton Town 4-0.
With 10 games to go, the pressure is on the leaders and Alan Pardew has been speaking about Daniel Farke’s side – even comparing them to rivals Sheffield United ahead of this week’s 37th league fixtures.
Alan Pardew sees “less risk” in Sheffield United over Leeds United
The 17-game unbeaten run has come to an end but Leeds remain at the top. Pardew though, says Wilder has got his Sheffield United side winning games in a way where there is little risk of dropping any points.
Speaking to TalkSPORT after Leeds’ defeat to Portsmouth over the weekend, the former West Ham and Newcastle boss thinks Leeds play in a way that has more risk than the way Wilder has his side operating.
“The stats look good. Goal difference is 49, 76 points from 36 games, won 22, only Sheffield United have won more. But the difference with Sheffield United is the way they play and the way Chris sets them up.
“There is less risk of them slipping up. They get it forward quickly, get it wide, balls in the box. If Leeds get a bit nervous and the crowd gets nervous, manager takes the flair players out, oof,” Pardew summarised.
Why Alan Pardew’s comments are bizarre in strange comparison
Pardew claims Sheffield United play with less risk but a quick look at the stats show that Leeds have only conceded 23 goals in their 26 games. That is four less than Sheffield United over the course of the season.
The Blades have kept 19 clean sheets this season while Leeds have 20. So to suggest there is more risk in Sheffield United’s way of playing is wrong especially given Leeds have beaten The Blades home and away.
But that is now up to Leeds to prove in the final 10 games. Wilder responded to Leeds’ defeat against Portsmouth in a somewhat patronising manner, and Leeds beating Millwall will be the perfect tonic.
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