A top-of-the-table clash between Chris Wilder’s side and Yorkshire rivals Leeds United promises a raucous night of football at Bramall Lane this evening.

The Blades know that a win against high-flying Leeds will see them move to top of the Championship table and, crucially, five points inside the automatic playoff spaces with only twelve league matches left to play.

Chris Wilder said: “You want to play against the best and we’re certainly going to be doing that on Monday night.”

Both teams are in strong form having won each of their last four matches – the joint best form in the division.

Victory will be a hard task for Sheffield as Leeds, under the management of Daniel Farke, have not been defeated on the road since their 1-0 loss to Blackburn in late November last year.

Wilder insists that there will be no change to his approach despite the grandeur of this fixture.

He said: “There will be no change in our preparation and approach.”

“They’re a very good team… outstanding manager… [they have] been swatting everyone away very comfortably.

“Leeds overcame a very good team on Monday night.”

This is why the best teams are at the top of the division.

Wilder believes that his squad has everything it takes to achieve promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and that they can achieve a high number of points before May.

He said: “I’m delighted with the group.

“We’re not lucky to have won the amount of games we have done. We’re on track to accumulate a healthy total [of points].”

Despite United’s recent downturn of home form, where they failed to win three of their last six matches, they bounced back with consecutive home wins against a Portsmouth side in great form and a free-scoring Middlesbrough team.

Wilder highlighted the need for consistency in his club’s quest for promotion.

He said: “You look at what you need to do to be successful.

“Consistency is the key for me in results. We want consistent performances but there are different challenges right away.

“We’re consistent, we’re happy with where we are, we’re comfortable in our own skin and we’ll keep cracking at it and keep our head down.

“I thought the atmosphere for the Middlesbrough game was great and if we keep to our top performance, the games can take care of themselves and this is a game that can take care of itself.”

Leeds’ fantastic away form will make them confident of getting a result in Sheffield, along with the prospect of going five points clear at the summit of the Championship.

Wilder showed respect for the in-form side and their illustrious past, describing them as a ‘powerhouse of English football.’

“Leeds are a massive club, they’re a top six English Premier League club historically,” said Wilder.

When you’re a huge historic football club that has won loads of things in the past, there’s pressure either way to win games of football.

“They’re a huge football club, so when you’re playing huge football clubs it does go up a notch.”

Sheffield United play against Leeds United in the Bramall Lane Stadium at 8pm this evening.