Leeds United host Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road this Saturday in the first game between the two rivals in over three years. Niall Togher previews the action.
A lot has changed since the two sides last met in January of 2020. Leeds went on to secure promotion to the Premier League to make a brief return to the top flight before they were relegated after just three seasons. In that same time, Sheffield Wednesday have been relegated to League 1 before regaining their Championship status after a two-year absence by beating Barnsley in the playoff final in May.
Sheffield Wednesday have struggled since their return to the Championship, losing their opening four fixtures. Their 2-1 loss to Cardiff in their last league game leaves them at the bottom of the table and as the only side in the division with no points so far for Xisco Munoz’s men. However, as is so often the case, form tends to go out of the window for derby games like these.
This fixture gives Leeds a chance to build some momentum and really kick start their promotion push as they were able to picked up their first three points of the season in a dramatic 3-4 win on the road against Ipswich Town who had won all three league games going in to last Saturday.
With Daniel Farke’s squad appearing to be more settled, with Luis Sinisterra and Willy Gnonto being embedded back into the squad after discussions over their respective futures at the club, Farke’s sole focus can go back onto getting the club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Last time out against Ipswich we saw a full strength line-up with Farke’s signings playing alongside each other for the first time this season. Marquee signing Joel Piroe made his debut for the club and lead the line the line in a very dynamic looking front four that will put fear into any opponent playing at this level.
In the end it was the front four of Piroe, Rutter, Sinisterra and Gnonto who were all on the scoresheet in their first game together which makes them an exciting prospect as the season goes on when they continue to gel together.
Leeds will be hoping that new signing Djed Spence can help some of the defensive frailties we have seen from them so far this season and the right back could be in line to make his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday after signing for the club on a season-long loan on Wednesday.