Leeds United slipped to three points behind Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon as The Whites failed to secure a win at Preston, while The Blades secured a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.
Leeds fans were cautious going into Saturday’s clash. The Whites’ record during an early kick-off is not particularly impressive, neither is there away form – something Josuha Guilavogui says must improve.
It didn’t on Saturday, even if Mateo Joseph forced Jack Whatmough into an own goal in injury time after Preston took the lead in the first half through Brad Potts, who caught Jayden Bogle out of position.
The 1-1 draw handed Sheffield United the chance to go from one point, to three clear at the top and they duly obliged. At home against Wayne Rooney’s struggling Plymouth, Sheffield United secured a 2-0 win.
Chris Wilder says if Sheffield United are on Leeds United’s level
Darko Gyabi missed a big chance for Plymouth at 1-0, but goals from Gustavo Hamer and Kieffer Moore was enough to see Wilder’s side stretch their lead at the top to three points from Leeds in second place.
Asked after the match by TalkSPORT’s Alan Biggs if Sheffield United were a front-runner for automatic promotion, Wilder feels they are “nowhere near” the best teams but is hoping January can change that.
“We’re nowhere near the teams nailed on to go straight back up. Have to work for everything. If we have a positive January & give these (young) players a bit of help, we’ll produce better performances than this.”
Away form the difference as Sheffield United win five, Leeds three
It is becoming a trend. Leeds have lost 1-0 to Blackburn and Millwall, having done so last season in similar fashion too. Preston looked as if it would be another example before The Whites equalised in injury time.
There is a genuine fear and concern when Leeds go away at the moment, but it is a different story when The Whites are at home. But the difference at the moment is the away form with the Blades currently first.
| Team | Games played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Clean sheets | GD | Points |
| Sheffield United home form | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 14 | 28 |
| Leeds United home form | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 28 |
| Sheffield United away form | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 19 |
| Leeds United away form | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 14 |
Sheffield United have earned five more points away then Leeds, while matching Leeds at home despite playing a game less at Bramall Lane than Leeds have at Elland Road. Clean sheets are vastly better, too.
The reason why Sheffield United are only three clear of Leeds, despite earning five more points from their 21 Championship games, is because Wilder’s men started the campaign on -2 after relegation.
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