Leeds and Sheffield United meet in a huge Championship encounter this Friday, and it’s live on talkSPORT 2.

The Yorkshire giants have made excellent starts to the season, sitting second and fifth, respectively.

Leeds were denied three points against Sunderland before the international break when Illan Meslier dropped the ball into his own net at the deathGetty

Daniel Farke and Chris Wilder both have experience winning promotion from the second division, and they both look like they’ll be near the top come the end of the campaign.

The Blades endured a horrible Premier League season last year, conceding the most goals in top-flight history, but they look a capable outfit this time.

Meanwhile, Leeds saw their promotion dreams shattered in the play-off final when Southampton beat them 1-0.

The summer saw a number of their stars leave, but Farke has now assembled a team that should be competing for the title.

Leeds vs Sheffield United: Paying respects to Baldock

Over the international break, there was the shocking news that former Sheffield United player George Baldock had passed away in Greece.

The defender was found in his swimming pool at the age of 31, and there will be a tribute to Baldock this week.

He spent seven years with the Blades, making 219 appearances.

Baldock was also part of two promotion-winning teams, including the first one under Wilder in 2018/19.

He left the club in the summer to join Panathinaikos and will always be a club legend for his time at Bramall Lane.

Tributes are currently outside of Baldock’s former home groundGetty

Leeds completed a league double over Sheffield United the last time the sides faced each other in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign (1-0 away, 2-1 home).

Sheffield United have won their last two Championship visits to Elland Road, winning in 2017-18 and 2018-19 in Chris Wilder’s first spell in charge.

Leeds United are unbeaten in each of their last 15 Yorkshire derbies in the league (W11 D4), since a 2-0 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday in January 2020 – it’s the Whites’ longest ever such run against Yorkshire rivals.

Leeds vs Sheffield United: Date and how to follow

This Championship encounter is set to take place on Friday, October 18.

Kick-off at Elland Road is scheduled for 8pm.

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage from West Yorkshire, with Hugh Woozencroft serving as your presenter.

Commentary will the come from Jim Proudfoot and former West Ham striker Dean Ashton.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Wilder is looking to lead his beloved Sheffield United back to the Premier LeagueGetty

Leeds vs Sheffield United: Team news

The hosts are hoping to welcome Dan James and Manor Solomon back from injury.

The two wingers are back in training and should be fit.

But despite recovering quicker than expected from a hamstring issue, Maximilian Wober will not be ready to feature.

Ethan Amapdu and Ilia Gruev are also still out.

Oliver Arblaster returned from a slight niggle before the international break for the Blades, so he should be raring to go.

And Wilder has a very strong squad to choose from heading to Elland Road.

Farke has a few injury worries to think aboutGetty

Sheffield United remain the only unbeaten team in the Football League this season (W6 D3), with nine games the Blades’ longest unbeaten run from the start of a campaign since 2012-13 in League One (first 16).

Leeds United’s Joel Piroe has scored with all four of his shots on target in the Championship this season while the Dutchman also has the best minutes per goal rate in the competition so far this term (62 mins – min 2 goals).

Leeds vs Sheffield United: What has been said?

After the Baldock news was confirmed, Wilder paid a heartfelt tribute to his former player.

Speaking to the Sheffield United website, he said: “George was a huge personality, a huge driver, and a huge culture carrier in everything that we did.

“In how I wanted it to look, how the staff wanted it to look, how Sheffield United supporters wanted their team to look, and how they wanted their players to act and represent them, and the way they wanted their players to go about their business, George epitomised everything on and off the pitch.

“He was a humble person off the pitch. We had rows and bust-ups and words, and you would expect that between the two personalities, but we were all driving it forward and after the same outcome and goal in everything we did.

“I’m a massive one in terms of standards and how training should look, and he was ultra-competitive, as were the group, and he drove that.

“Families have lost their son, and players have lost a brother. Those boys that went to battle with George, he stood up to every challenge.”

Leeds vs Sheffield United: Betting odds

Match odds (talkSPORT BET):

Leeds – 3/4

Draw – 13/5

Sheffield United – 16/5

*odds subject to change. 18+ gambleaware.org

Check out our full Leeds v Sheffield United betting preview.