Sheffield United handed double boost ahead of Leeds United...

Sunderland, who have a goal differential that is only one better than the Blades’, and Chris Wilder’s team are now tied for second place

in the Championship table.

After nine games in the 2024–25 season, United’s main obstacle to winning the table is the two-point deduction that was imposed

upon them prior to the current campaign.

The only two teams that have ever penetrated Wilder’s team’s consistently strong defensive are Norwich City and, somewhat

surprisingly, QPR. The Blades have only given up three goals in those games.

Their 2-0 victory over Luton Town on Saturday was yet another portrayal of how they are able to grind down teams through quick

passing within the midfield, this time allowing Jesuran Rak-Sayki to net his first two goals since joining on loan from Crystal Palace in

the summer.

However, there was also another huge positive for Sheffield United, as both Gustavo Hamer and Vini Souza kept themselves away

from trouble with the referee, keeping them both available for a huge clash in just under two weeks.

Sheffield United handed major boost ahead of Leeds United game

The single major letdown from the Blades’ season-opening performance thus far has been the quantity of yellow cards received,

particularly by important players, which has left them open to missing games as the first round of suspensions doesn’t end until the

19th game of play.

Hamer and Souza each had four bookings going into the Luton match, which meant that if either of them received a yellow card, they

would miss United’s crucial Championship match against Leeds United following the international break.

This is a big game for both teams. Wilder wants to extend his team’s winning streak and prove to the rest of the second division how

excellent they are. For the Whites, it’s about establishing a level of consistency that hasn’t been there previously.

For Sheffield United’s game plan to succeed, both Hamer and Souza must be available at Elland Road. This is especially true given the

former’s goal-scoring form, which saw him score four goals in his first eight starts before being benched against the Hatters to prevent

any potential issues with yellow cards.

Sheffield United Championship Yellow Cards 2024/25 (FotMob)
Player	Number of Bookings
Anel Ahmedhodzic	4
Gus Hamer	4
Vini Souza	4
Andre Brooks	2
Harry Souttar	2
Ollie Arblaster	2
Six players	1

Leeds was unable to sign Hamer, one of their top objectives, during their summer transfer window of change.

Those at Elland Road later rejected the several bids Daniel Farke’s squad made for the 27-year-old, who was even offered Joel Piroe in

return for the midfielder as reported by The Star.

The first meeting between the two teams since the interest was expressed is scheduled on October 18, and it has the

potential to intensify tensions before one of the biggest games of the season thus far.

While Sheffield United will be trying to establish their potential as Premier League contenders and increase their unbeaten

streak in the league in 2024–25 to 10, Leeds will be seeking to show the former Coventry City player why he should have

made the move up the M1.

A goal from Hamer would likely be the cherry on top for Wilder, who has managed to develop the central midfielder into possibly the

best left-sider in the division. This is a bad sign for Leeds, as it demonstrates Hamer’s versatility and shows the rest of the league that

he will support his team no matter where he plays.