Leeds United v Sheffield United: Possible teams, player to watch, referee, history and match betting

Sheffield United take their fine form up the road to Leeds on Friday night, where a victory would see the Blades top the Championship table.
Chris Morgan holds off Leeds United's David Healy at Elland Road in April, 2005 when the Blades last beat their Yorkshire rivals away from homeChris Morgan holds off Leeds United's David Healy at Elland Road in April, 2005 when the Blades last beat their Yorkshire rivals away from home
Chris Morgan holds off Leeds United's David Healy at Elland Road in April, 2005 when the Blades last beat their Yorkshire rivals away from home

POSSIBLE TEAMS

Leeds United: Andy Lonergan, Luke Ayling, Matthew Pennington, Pontus Jansson, Liam Cooper, Ronaldo Vieira, Eunan O’Kane, Kalvin Phillips, Ezgjan Alioski, Piere-Michel Lasogga, Samuel Saiz

Sheffield United: Jamal Blackman, Jack O’Connell, Chris Basham, Cameron Carter-Vickers, George Baldock, Enda Stevens, Paul Coutts, John Fleck, Mark Duffy, Billy Sharp, Leon Clarke

PLAYER TO WATCH

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Liam Cooper: A good friend of his fellow captain Billy Sharp, the Leeds United defender moved to Elland Road from Chesterfield in 2014 after joining them on loan from Hull City. Aged 26, he has been capped by Scotland at youth and under-19 level.

HISTORY LESSON

Sheffield United beat Leeds when the two clubs last met, in March 2011. Ched Evans featured for the hosts while former players Leigh Bromby and Billy Paynter appeared in the visitors’ squad. However, United’s last win at Elland Road, where Friday's match takes places, came in April 2005 when goals from Danny Webber, Nick Montgomery and Andy Gray (2) propelled them to a 4-0 victory. Webber scored less than two minutes into the contest. However, it should be pointed out that this is only the fifth fixture between these two Yorkshire rivals since that game. Having first played each other in November 1924, United have beaten Leeds on 26 occasions. Their neighbours have triumphed a total of 28 times with 22 of their 76 meetings finishing all-square.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Scott Duncan: From Northumberland, Duncan averages 2.21 cautions per game so far this season compared to 2.97 last term. However, he has already issued three red cards and also sent-off 10 players in 38 matches during the previous campaign. Akil Howson and Phillip Dermott are his assistants at Elland Road.

BETTING

Leeds 5/4 Draw 12/5 Sheffield Utd 23/10

WORTH A PUNT?

Six of Sheffield United's nine Championship wins this season have come by a one-goal margin. It's 7/2 for them to do it again.

Odds from Sky Bet