Only two points distribute the promotion -rivals …
And in fact those two points were deducted from the two of Sheffield United before the start of the season. Without not that they would be dead level, although Leeds would have a huge goal difference.
How both came back from last season's disappointment
You expect that it is a fact that two parties that have recently participated in the Premier League will again challenge at the top of the championship, but recovery from relegations and heartache is not always as simple as it seems.
Sheffield United ended under Luton during last season's top flight, but the Hatters are currently fighting to prevent the drop in League One, while the Blades want to come back.
Chris Wilder sometimes looked a deserted figure because he did not suffice them after his return halfway through the season, but he rejuvenated this campaign. He was determined to re -confirm his references after challenging Stints in Middlesbrough and Watford. The Sheffield boy is now home again and it has shown this season. The spark is back and the fire has returned to his eyes.
Leeds, meanwhile, pushed Leicester and Ipswich completely into the Promotierace last season, to shoot and eventually losing Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.
Daniel Farke quickly put that behind him and his side while attacking this season. Early wobbles away from home seemed a problem, but those problems have now been largely solved and Leeds look just as impressive on the road as on Elland Road.
January helped the ship to stabilize in Bramall Lane
Managers are usually not a fan of the January window, but in the case of Sheffield United and Wilder it came at the perfect moment.
The blades had a wobble between Christmas and New Year when injuries were on Heto. Midfielder Oli Arblaster and Center-Back Harry Souttar were both excluded for the season, with Kieffer Moore, Vinicius Souza and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi all the important players who were also absent.
But the winter window gave Wilder the opportunity to reinforce, especially helped by the acquisition and funds that were made available. Tom Cannon came permanently, while Ben Brereton Diaz, Hamza Choudhury and Harry Clarke all drew on loan. They have now won seven of their last eight.
An unlikely star comes to the fore at Leeds
Leeds was hit by their own problems in the summer. Four of the players who started the play-off final in May left the club. Top scorer Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray moved to Premier League clubs, while midfielder Glen Kamara moved to Rennes in France.
But Leeds did not panic. They recruited well and now probably look stronger as a team with the options they have than last season – when there never seemed to be much than the starting XI.
Wilfried Gnonto was expected to rise and the most important attacking figure became on Elland Road, but as the season continued, he has slipped further and further into the pecking order. Instead, Daniel James became the star player.
He has always had the pace, but this season the output has improved further. He scored 10 goals and offered six assists. Quite remarkable as he has only started 22 games.
In addition to him, Joel Piroe has emerged as a reliable No. 9 and it looks much better in a Leeds shirt than last season. And right-back Jayden Bogle, who joined Sheffield United in the summer, stood out as one of the best in his position in the competition.
How will the blades form?
The rear three who defined the rise of Sheffield United of League One in the Premier League under Wilder has largely been left in the past, with the Blades playing a back for almost the entire campaign.
However, intensively the only time they started this season with three center-backs in the reverse fixture on Elland Road in October. That night they were comfortably beaten 2-0, with Wilder then admitted that they did not earn anything from the game.
Will he try the same at home in an attempt to combat the attacking and set-piece threat of Leeds? January loan signing Rob Holding came from the bank to make different air interventions against Luton the previous time-out and could be used as a third center-back. That would also enable his wingbacks – probably Harrison Burrows and Harry Clarke – to push ahead and drive back James and Manor Solomon.
He can of course stay with the rear four that this season brought them so much success, which could offer him the opportunity to bring Gus Hamer back to midfield after he missed their last fixture with a groin injury.
It is still to be seen … Wilder will keep his cards close to his chest.
Is Farke or Twist with Leeds?
In recent weeks, Leeds has continued to promote, the starting XI has virtually chosen.
But Farke will leave the victory in Sunderland with a few selections to think. Joe Rothwell proved his sparkle of SET pieces again when setting up the two goals and may have earned a place in midfield. His bravery in that respect could be vital in unlocking the backline of Sheffield United.
Pascal Struijk, who benefited from those deliveries and turned out to be the match winner, was able to go into the defense again besides Joe Rodon, but Captain Ethan Ampadu, who gave the goal of Sunderland after not handling Wilson Isidor, will undoubtedly Somewhere and there is no room for them all in midfield.
Will the winner have one foot back in the top flight?
It looks like a fight between three teams for two places now. Sunderland slipped a bit, but Burnley breathes along the neck of the top two.
There is still a long way to go in this promotional race, with many turns and turns coming. But the victory for Leeds of Sheffield United on Monday evening will be a huge step back to the Premier League.
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