Chris Wilder watched his Sheffield United side beat Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday afternoon as The Blades secured a 1-0 win in the Steel City derby, to go level on points with Leeds United.
Such is the way with the race for promotion from the Championship, every time Leeds have failed to win, both Burnley and Sheffield United have responded with wins and that was the case on Saturday again.
Leeds could not get the better of QPR at Loftus Road again, having lost the same fixture 4-0 last season. A 2-2 draw at Loftus Road might not seem the worst of outcomes given Leeds had gone 2-0 down.
But Leeds could not capitalise having equalised just a few minutes after half-time. Burnley capitalised with a win over Swansea and on Sunday, Sheffield United went to Hillsborough and secured a 1-0 victory.
Chris Wilder on “titanic” battle for promotion with Leeds United
Wilder has discussed Leeds week in, week out in the last few weeks. The Sheffield United manager tried a few mind games before the weekend’s matches and judging by the results, they seemed to have worked.
With eight games to go, Leeds and Sheffield United are both on 80 points and Burnley are in third with 78. The race is hotting up, and Wilder told Sheffield United’s YouTube that it will be a “titanic” battle.
“Another promotion on the horizon. An incredible challenge, it’s ridiculous the amount of points that all three clubs have got at this stage in the season. We talk about Leeds not going up with 90 [last season].
“We’re on 82 points – I know it’ll say 80 points with eight games to go. How good have the teams been in their attitude and consistency. It’s going to be a titanic tussle between now and the end of the season.”
Why Leeds still hold the advantage in race for promotion
There are two factors at play that still make Leeds the favourites to win the Championship title and go up automatically. Of the remaining eight teams Leeds will play, only two sit in the top half of the table.
Sheffield United take on four – Burnley, Blackburn, Millwall and Coventry, the latter their first game back after the break. Burnley face five – Sheffield United, Bristol City, Coventry, Watford and finally, Millwall.
The other factor is that Sheffield United and Burnley face each other, meaning one of those two teams will at least drop points at some stage or if they draw, then both. Leeds have got to take advantage.
Ultimately, if Leeds win at home and draw away, they will be home and dry. Daniel Farke said it would be “happy days” if Leeds could achieve this, taking The Whites to a whopping total of 96 points this term.
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