After winning 13 of their opening 20 matches in the Championship this season, Sheffield United lead the standings in the division. The Yorkshire club have shown they have the credentials to earn a spot in the Premier League next season.

Since arriving at the club for his second spell, Chris Wilder has overseen a fantastic turnaround in the Blades’ fortunes. He is now bidding for another promotion from the Championship, adding to his success from 2019.

Points Deduction Has Not Derailed Blades

At the start of the season, Sheffield United were handed a two-point deduction for defaulted transfer payments. However, that has not stopped them from getting off to a fast start. They are now 8/13 in the Championship odds for promotion.

The goal for Wilder and his players will be to win the division and the title. They are 10/3 in the Championship title odds. Only Leeds United are ahead of them in the outright market for the Championship crown.

One of the reasons for Sheffield United’s excellent record so far is the form of goalkeeper Michael Cooper. He has kept 12 clean sheets in his opening 14 Championship games. It is his first season at Bramhall Lane since moving from Plymouth during the summer for an undisclosed fee.

The Blades have scored 28 goals in their opening 20 games, with 10 different goalscorers. Gustavo Hamer has scored four goals from midfield, while forward Kieffer Moore is off the mark with two goals since he signed from Bournemouth back in the summer transfer window.

Leeds and Burnley Look to Be the Biggest Threats

Arguably the biggest threats to Sheffield United’s title hopes this season are Leeds. They started the season as the favourites to win the league, and they remain at the top of the outright betting.

Leeds had an excellent run through October, where they were unbeaten across the month. They had victories over the Blades and Watford, while they picked up a valuable point following draws with Bristol City, Norwich and Sunderland.

Daniel Farke’s side will need to travel to Bramhall Lane in the second half of the season, where Sheffield United will be looking to gain revenge. That game could have a huge say on where the title heads this season.

Another team who are in good shape for a return to the Premier League is Burnley. They have conceded just seven goals in their opening 20 Championship matches this season. The Lancashire club had five clean sheets out of six games in November, with the only goal they conceded coming in a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City.

Burnley are trailing Sheffield United and Leeds through their opening 20 matches. If they manage to secure a spot in the Premier League at the end of the campaign, it will be their second promotion in the last three years.

The January transfer window will allow Sheffield United and their rivals to add to their squads for the rest of the season. It would be no surprise to see them all do business during the month.

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