{"id":421796,"date":"2025-09-13T19:04:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/421796\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T19:04:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:04:32","slug":"sheffield-united-fall-behind-leeds-united-record-just-five-games-into-the-championship-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/421796\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield United fall behind Leeds United record just five games into the Championship season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sheffield United and Leeds United are separated by a division and their fortunes could not be any more different than the current states of both teams.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A\u00a0Sheffield United win at Wembley could have benefitted Leeds<\/a>\u00a0financially but it was Sunderland who won it late in dramatic fashion through Tommy Watson\u2019s 95th minute winner at Wembley instead, which is where\u00a0Leeds United<\/a>\u00a0failed last season against Southampton.<\/p>\n

In the end, Chris Wilder\u2019s side finished just eight points behind Leeds but have had to contend with a rebuild in the\u00a0Championship<\/a>\u00a0in 2025\/26, with Sunderland 24 points worse off than Burnley and Leeds but, crucially, now in the\u00a0Premier League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Daniel Farke\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0side securing promotion from the\u00a0Championship\u00a0is the big financial win for all investors and shareholders concerned given the\u00a0jaw-dropping windfall Leeds have received<\/a>, but the Blades have missed out on that reward.<\/p>\n

They have started the season with five league defeats and six defeats in all competitions, with Ruben Selles overseeing things after Wilder\u2019s dismissal. However, a 5-0 defeat to Ipswich Town means it is their worst start in the second tier for 30 years.<\/p>\n

\"LeedsPhoto by Robbie Jay Barratt \u2013 AMA\/Getty ImagesSheffield United have unwanted record concerning Leeds United<\/p>\n

Just one year ago,\u00a0Leeds were in the same position as Sheffield United<\/a>. Defeat at Wembley to Southampton cast uncertainty over numerous players, which is exactly what Selles and co. had to deal with in the summer.<\/p>\n

Leeds\u2019 attentions turned to the Premier League and recruiting for safety, while the Blades rebuilt in the Championship. However, not all hope is lost for\u00a0Sheffield United given the example Leeds set<\/a>\u00a0just one year on in winning the title.<\/p>\n

The problem has been their start. The Blades opened the 1995\/96 season with five straight defeats and that number is crucial again this season. Leeds lost four league games last season (all 1-0), and Burnley lost twice all season.<\/p>\n

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES<\/p>\n

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Blades losing more games (5) in the first five games of the season than Leeds lost in all of last season’s Championship is wilder than wild. https:\/\/t.co\/MXhRWWfNTn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) September 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Sheffield United have already bettered those statistics, as Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post outlined following the defeat last night. He rubbed salt in the wounds of Leeds\u2019 Yorkshire rivals.<\/p>\n

Including play-off matches, Sheffield United have lost 10 of their last 15 games in Championship. That dates back to a famous day of the 2024\/25 season, with Wilder\u2019s side losing 1-0 at Oxford United.<\/p>\n

That was the same day as Leeds\u2019 last dropped points that season. They drew 1-1 with Luton Town, but won six games from six on their march to the title and with 100 points.<\/p>\n

\"DanielPhoto by George Wood\/Getty ImagesGeorge Elek\u2019s view of Leeds and Sheffield United last season<\/p>\n

George Elek and Ali Maxwell are EFL experts for NTT20 and they had their say on what was to come next at the end of last season. Elek\u2019s Sheffield United and Leeds verdict<\/a> came after the play-off final.<\/p>\n

Maxwell said: \u201cSheffield United, the third best team in the league \u2014 absolutely no doubt. Coasted through the play-off semi-finals, went 1-0 up here, comfortably the better side.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been winning games all season by managing them well when they need to. Winning tight games by being smart about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we think big picture for Sheffield United? Obviously, they do not join Leeds and Burnley in the Premier League. It mean only one of the teams that came down last season goes back up in the form of Burnley.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a sort of Championship balance point of view, we lose Sunderland who didn\u2019t have any parachute payments and Sheffield United stay down. It automatically puts them in a strong position.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey already have a good squad. Where do you think this leaves them for next season?\u201d<\/p>\n

Elek said: \u201cIt\u2019s going to be interesting to see how they approach the summer. I\u2019d say some uncertainty, but I think they\u2019re in a great position.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe stood here last year \u2014 they\u2019re not Leeds. They aren\u2019t as good as Leeds were this time last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we saw Leeds be defeated in the play-off final and we knew that they were going to be strong the season afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n