The eyes of the Championship will be on Sheffield United and Leeds United on Monday night. Except, maybe, the eyes of Burnley manager Scott Parker.
Sheffield United against Leeds United will be billed as the biggest promotion six-pointer in many a season. The two teams have been the standout teams in the league this season, and if it weren’t for the Blades’ two-point deduction then they’d be level on points with Leeds right now.
There’s really nothing to split the two teams. A win for either side on Monday would have huge implications on the Championship title race, as three points for Chris Wilder’s side would see them leapfrog Leeds in 1st, whilst a win for Daniel Farke’s side would take them five points clear at the top.
A win for Leeds at Bramall Lane would also put them seven points clear of Burnley in 3rd. Scott Parker‘s side are well in the race for top two themselves and for them as well, Monday’s game in South Yorkshire has huge ramifications.
But Parker has played down his interest in the game.
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Scott Parker isn’t bothered about Sheffield United vs Leeds United score
Speaking to Burnley Express after his side’s 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night, Parker played down any interest in watching the game between Sheffield United and Leeds United on Monday night, insisting that he’s solely focussed on his own side’s games and performances.
The former England midfielder explained: “I’ve said that to you many a time, I’ve got no real interest. Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I have no real interest in what any other team are doing. Leeds, Sheffield [United], I’ve got no interest.
“Every time you start a season, there’s a certain number of points you need to get to and I don’t really care whatever other teams do. We need to just focus on what we do and pick up enough points to put us in a position that over the course of the last 15, 20 years of this division, if you hit a certain amount of points, it gives you an incredible chance to get promoted. That’s just the sole focus.”
EFL expert drops promising Leeds United prediction ahead of Sheffield United
Predictions for the game on Monday night vary. Both sides are in good form, but Leeds beat Sheffield United 2-0 earlier in the campaign, and quite comfortably too.
That said, Leeds boast just the third-best away record in the league this season whilst Sheffield United have the second-best home record, behind only Leeds United.
But EFL expert George Elek has revealed why he thinks Leeds United beat Sheffield United on Monday, explaining: “There are a few reasons why I think Leeds [will win] here. Firstly, Leeds’ dominance at Elland Road has been obvious all season, and they continued that against Sunderland last time out.
“Their away form, at times, has been a little bit patchy. But that hasn’t been the case as of late. They have won their last two away games 2-0 and 4-0. There was a 0-0 draw with Burnley before that. They were 3-1 up against Hull before conceding twice late but that came off the back of wins at Derby and Stoke.
“There is no question, given that they started the season with just two wins from their first seven away games, that they have massively improved on the road.”
Whilst Parker himself may not be interested in the game, there’s no doubting that the result would have ramifications for his Burnley side. He might favour a draw or even a Leeds win, as to keep Sheffield United within touching distance of the Clarets, and to keep his side’s top two dreams alive.
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