Leeds United vs. Sheffield United – English Premier League, April 3

Although Sheffield United can still mathematically stay up this season, the team is really only playing for pride now – and a win over Yorkshire rivals Leeds would certainly fall into that category.

But Leeds has been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the Premier League this season and will be looking forward to facing the bottom of the table club this weekend.

Leeds has conceded more goals than almost everyone outside the bottom three while scoring more than nearly all the clubs below the European places. So predicting the outcome of its games can prove to be difficult.

But even with the Blades playing for some local pride, it seems unlikely that the bookies have priced this one incorrectly.

Leeds has a slight injury worry over top striker Patrick Bamford for this one, but the extended break due to international fixtures should have given him the chance to recover from his slight knock. That is good news, as although he is not crucial for the home side, he will surely play an important role in any performance.

After a mostly tough time since the turn of the year, Leeds had improved in the last two games before the break, including a very creditable draw against form side Chelsea. Although Marcelo Bielsa will be aware that this weekend’s visitors are playing for their Premier League lives, he is unlikely to change his plans too much.

The Blades are 14 points from safety with only nine games to play.

Interim manager Paul Heckingbottom has a number of injury problems ahead of this game but will be hoping that his side can at least get on the scoresheet after the 5-0 thrashing he received in his first game in charge. Even a draw would be an excellent result here for Sheffield United – but that would still not make that much of a difference at the bottom of the table.

I might have expected even shorter odds for a Leeds win here, but I suppose the bookmakers think that the Sheffield United players will see their remaining fixtures as a chance to put themselves in the EPL shop window for next season.

I don’t think that that will make much difference here, though – and a home win must surely be the outcome at Elland Road on Saturday.