Sheffield United defender Rob Holding makes Leeds United claim ahead of promotion clincher

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Sheffield United must be looking at the Championship table and be thinking they have missed a golden chance to secure automatic promotion ahead of Leeds United.

Following Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Luton, The Whites had dropped into third place. But no-one saw that would happen next, and that was Sheffield United losing three games on the spin before Good Friday.

Defeat to Oxford United, Millwall and then Cardiff coincided with Leeds drawing against Luton, and then beating both Middlesbrough and Preston. The Blades got back to winning ways on Friday against Cardiff.

But it failed to affect the table, with Leeds and Burnley also winning – against Oxford United and Watford. On Monday, Leeds only need to better Sheffield United’s result against Burnley to secure a top-two place.

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Sheffield United’s Rob Holding makes Leeds United claim

The former Arsenal defender has endured a tricky campaign since swapping North London for Yorkshire but was back in the starting line-up as Sheffield United eased past Cardiff, keeping a clean sheet.

Speaking to The Sheffield Star after the win against Cardiff, Holding mentioned Leeds and said “anything can happen”. He believes if Sheffield United can lose three in a row, then there may be another twist.

“There’s a reason that us, them and Leeds are all at the top on the points that we’re on. So there are three good teams there and in the Championship, anything can happen,” Holding said on the promotion race.

“No-one would have had their money on us losing three games in a row, so hopefully something can go our way. If we keep doing our job, we’ll see what happens. It’s going to be a showdown at Turf Moor.”

The different permutations ahead of Easter Monday’s fixtures

Sam Parkin has predicted Leeds to beat Stoke at Elland Road, and then Burnley and Sheffield United to play out a 0-0 draw. That would see Leeds promoted, and Burnley needing one point from the final two.

But a Leeds defeat and a Sheffield United win would see all three sides separated by two points going into the final two games. If Leeds and Sheffield United match each other’s results, Leeds need a point.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	43	26	13	4	83	29	54	91
2	BurnleyBurnley	43	25	16	2	59	14	45	91
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	43	27	7	9	59	33	26	86
4	SunderlandSunderland	43	21	13	9	58	40	18	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	43	17	16	10	56	46	10	67
6	CoventryCoventry	43	19	9	15	61	54	7	66

Ultimately, if Leeds better Sheffield United’s result at Turf Moor, then Daniel Farke’s side are up. Stoke are in good form but Leeds are fully expected to win against Stoke, and then Burnley are favourites at home.