Daniel Farke’s Leeds United prepare to host Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road this Sunday, marking their next league match hot on the heels of this Saturday’s FA Cup clash against League Two teammates Harrogate Town. After a string of impressive performances over the festive period, the Whites are keen to capitalize on their home advantage to maintain their place at the top of the table.
When they last met at Hillsborough in August, Leeds claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory against Wednesday. However, under the management of Danny Rohl, Wednesday have shown significant improvements despite a recent dip in form. This long-awaited Yorkshire derby kicks off at midday on Saturday January 19 and has taken on added significance following a recent announcement from the EFL.
Sky Sports had previously selected the January clash for a live broadcast, but the EFL confirmed on Wednesday that fans without a subscription will also have the chance to watch the match, with ITV set to broadcast the game at the same time. A statement from the EFL revealed: “ITV will broadcast two Sky Bet Championship matches as part of a partnership with Sky Sports and the EFL, allowing all Football fans across the UK to enjoy coverage free.”
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Viewers can choose between Sky Sports Football or ITV1, and those on the move can stream the match live via the Sky Sports or ITVX apps. This meeting between Leeds and Wednesday marks the first of two Championship matches included in this innovative agreement, with the other clash between Middlesbrough and Sunderland scheduled for Monday February 3.
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Mark Demuth, Head of ITV Sport, expressed his excitement, saying: “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with the EFL by providing free matches for our viewers. The Carabao Cup and Sky Bet Championship are essential for football English, and I think fans will enjoy this opportunity to watch on ITV Sport.”
Trevor Birch, Chief Executive of the EFL, added: “The EFL presents some of the most thrilling competitions in world football, with the race for promotion already well underway in all three divisions as we head into the second half “We are pleased that this agreement between the League, ITV and Sky Sports will expand our audience, and we thank both partners for their efforts in making this possible.”
Leeds stumbled again on the road last Saturday, letting a two-goal lead slip away to draw 3-3 against Hull City. Despite the disappointment, the point keeps Farke’s side in the lead as they prepare for the FA Cup, and it is likely that key players will be rested ahead of the second half of an already busy season in events.
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The Whites then prepare for back-to-back home games in the Championship, hosting Wednesday in the third round of this Yorkshire derby, followed by a visit from Farke’s former team Norwich City. Leeds have become a fortress at home since mid-September, amassing 28 points from a possible 30, with the only disappointment being a recent 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
Farke will be keen for his team’s strong home form to remain intact, and he might even hope that the rest paves the way for another remarkable run, similar to last season’s. This time last year, Leeds were trailing behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town, but after beating Peterborough in the FA Cup, they began a sensational 14-game unbeaten run in the league, closing the gap considerably .
