Billy Sharp sets sights on Sheffield United leapfrogging Leeds United

Chris Wilder's Blades are approaching Sunday's 12 noon kick-off having fallen to defeats in their first two games of the new Premier League season with a 2-0 reverse at home to Wolves followed by a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Leeds, meanwhile, picked up their first three-point haul with last weekend's 4-3 triumph at home to Fulham which came after running defending champions Liverpool close in a 4-3 thriller at Anfield.

Marcelo Bielsa's Whites are marginal favourites with most betting firms but Sharp says his side will be expected to kickstart their season with a victory with the Blades forward and ex-United striker eyeing the eventual overtaking of the Whites.

"It's huge. We're at home," said Sharp.

"I don't know what the betting companies have got but we're expected to win in my book. We need to make sure we're at it from the start.

"It's a good game to look forward to, one I looked at one the fixture list. I'm gutted there's no fans like everyone else.

"It's a good game for us because we haven't picked up a point yet.

"It's a game we need to be up for and Leeds have done reasonably well since coming up so it's going to be a tough game for us but we need to be ready for it."

Reflecting onthe rivalry between the Blades and the Whites and his own time at Leeds and , Sharp said: "I enjoyed it even though I had four managers in one season. It's a great club, I couldn't want to get there. Some of the things that went on when I was there wasn't quite what I was expecting – we didn't have lunch, no kit to start off with.

“I scored on my debut, which was great and Liam Cooper, who is still a good friend, signed on the same day and I had quite a lot of memories.

"If it wasn't for Sheffield United coming in for me I would have stayed another season because it's a great club and they deserve to be back in the Premier League. It's good to see them doing well but hopefully not on Sunday.

Sharp added: "My son's got a few Leeds fan in his class, there are Leeds fans living in Sheffield and vice-versa.

“It's two great cities and two great football clubs who will do battle on Sunday and that hasn't happened in the Premier League for 27 years.

"It will hopefully be a good occasion and we can get our season up and running.

“Your social and shopping side, I think Leeds is above Sheffield at the minute but we want to make sure we win the game on Sunday and start climbing the table to get above Leeds."

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Thank you Laura Collins