Sheffield United could still beat Leeds to unwanted Championship all-time record, Chris Wilder will be fuming

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Sheffield United’s miseries may continue if they beat Leeds United to one unwanted record.

The automatic promotion spots in the Championship have been decided, with Leeds United and Burnley achieving a return to the Premier League.

As a result of Sheffield United’s defeat to Burnley, the Blades will have to settle for the play-offs if they are to achieve a return to the top flight at the first time of asking, a feat that, in hindsight, is disappointing for Chris Wilder’s side, who have now lost four successive Championship games.

Some Sheffield United fans are dreading the Championship play-offs, in which they will likely face either Bristol City or Coventry City. The Blades’ feat, following missing out on automatic promotion, has kept the possibility for Wilder’s side to break one record, but one they certainly won’t be too fond of.

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Sheffield United still in reach of leading Championship points tally without promotion

Sheffield United have had a stellar 2024/25 Championship campaign, one that has ultimately seen them miss out on automatic promotion, but Wilder’s side have still defied expectation to take the fight so late on.

As a result, Sheffield United’s points tally of 86 isn’t enough to maintain their automatic promotion hunt, but they are still potentially on track to break one unwanted record, and that is to be the Championship side with the most points that doesn’t achieve promotion.

This record was broken in the 2023/24 season by Leeds United, who finished the season on 90 points and a goal difference of +38, where they were beaten to automatic promotion by Leicester City and Ipswich Town, whilst they lost to Southampton in the play-off final.

Unless Sheffield United accumulated a +14 goal difference in the last two games, they will only break the record if they win the final two games, and then fail to go up via the play-offs.

• READ MORE: Chris Wilder shares surprisingly humble reaction to Sheffield United’s failed quest for promotion in ‘insane season’

Pressure will be on Chris Wilder’s side to perform in play-offs

Aside from the pressure that may arriving that Sheffield United don’t beat Leeds United’s unwanted Championship record, there will still be plenty of expectations on Sheffield United to notch a return to the Premier League.

Wilder has certainly talked the talk in regards to his team, often with very good reason, but they will need to perform when it matters the most.

The next two games will also be crucial in dictating Sheffield United’s play-off campaign due to the need for momentum.