It has been 12 years since Leeds and Sheffield United last played each other when both pushing for promotion from the Championship.
Sheffield United fans sing during the Sky Bet Championship match against Norwich City.
One of the biggest clashes in the Championship this weekend sees revitalised Leeds United hosting fellow Yorkshire outfit and surprise package Sheffield United on Friday (October 27) night.
The Whites’ 3-0 victory during an ill-tempered match at Bristol City at the weekend ended what had been a poor run of form for Thomas Christiansen’s men and moved them up to fourth position, just behind their upcoming opponents in third.
Samu Saiz of Leeds United (C) celebrates his side’s first goal with teammates during the Sky Bet Championship match against Bristol City.
With almost a third of the season now played it would be fair to argue that both of these teams will be pushing for promotion this term and it has been more than decade since that was the case.
It came back in the 2005/06 campaign and coincidentally the 14th league game saw Leeds hosting the Blades at Elland Road, which ended in a 1-1 draw as Frazer Richardson gave the home side the lead before an equaliser from Steve Kabba put his team six points clear at the top.
Steven Kabba of Sheffield United is brought down by Stephen Crainey of Leeds United.
It was also 1-1 when the two met again at Bramall Lane in April, a result which secured the Sheffield team’s automatic promotion, eventually finishing behind Reading, while their opponents ended in fifth.
Leeds would lose in the playoff final to Watford, the closest they have come to returning to the Premier League before or since after being relegated from the top flight in 2004.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
