Dom Matteo predicts who will win when Leeds United take on Sheffield United at Elland Road on Friday night

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Dominic Matteo has given his prediction for Leeds United’s clash against Sheffield United on Friday night at Elland Road, in a showdown between two big promotion hopefuls.

Leeds and Sheffield United currently sit in fifth and second in the table, with the Blades in an incredible run of form that has seen them win five of the last six and not concede a single goal in that run of games.

Not only that, but Daniel Farke’s men come into the game with a midfield injury crisis. With Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu sidelined, Leeds are left with just Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka as senior midfield options.

Charlie Crew too, but he is yet to make his senior debut despite already playing for Wales. So, Sheffield United look to be playing at their very best and Leeds are far from that going into Friday night’s clash.

• READ MORE: Dominic Matteo also said what he expects from Chris Wilder on Friday night

Dom Matteo predicts 1-0 result as Leeds face Sheffield United

But home advantage could swing the game into Leeds United’s favour when the Whites and the Blades do battle. It is a clash between two rivals, with plenty at stake, and numerous sub-plots involved, too.

Gustavo Hamer, Alfie Gilchrist and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi were all linked with Leeds but will play for Sheffield United on Friday, while Jamie Shackleton and Jayden Bogle have swapped clubs. A big, exciting game.

Speaking to LUTV, former Leeds defender Matteo predicted a narrow 1-0 win for Leeds ahead of Friday night. He thinks it is going to be a close affair between the two evenly-matched Championship sides.

“We know they will have a game plan against us. They know we have the quality in the final third to hurt most teams. Chris will come with his plan but our gaffer will have his plan, too,” Matteo previewed.

“I genuinely believe in a game like this – it will be tight – whichever team defends the best in a game like this will go and win it. It will be a tight game and I’m hoping it will be a nice 1-0 win for us on Friday.”

Leeds and Sheffield United are equally matched in recent history

Since 2010, Leeds and Sheffield United have done battle on only eight occasions, sharing a division just four times in 14 years. Only two of those eight meetings have come in the Premier League in 2020-21.

The two sides have four wins each from those eight matches, but Leeds have only scored two goals in one of those eight matches. Even then, one of the two goals was an own goal from Blades icon Jagielka.

A big game then between two evenly-matched sides on Friday night. Another concern is Daniel Farke’s record against Sheffield United, losing four of six games against their local rivals during his career.