Leeds United could overhaul the Blades if they better their result at 15:00 GMT on Saturday when they welcome former Manchester United favourite Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle to Elland Road.
Despite negotiating an injury crisis, the Whites are unbeaten in seven and have won three straight at home whereas Plymouth are the worst travellers in the Championship, losing five of their six games away from Home Park without scoring.
Their only away goal came in a 1-1 draw at QPR in August and Rooney says his players have to improve at the “nasty bits” of the game.
Stoke City welcome Derby County to the Bet365 Stadium at lunchtime, winless in four games but seeking to make it four unbeaten at home.
Paul Warne’s Rams have the division’s second-worst return away from home, with two points from six games, five goals scored and 11 conceded.
Those points, however, have come in their past two away games and mean County are now four unbeaten in all, something Ebou Adams says is a useful building block for Derby.
Elsewhere, resurgent Cardiff City will be aiming for a fourth-straight home win, and a fifth clean sheet in six games under Omer Riza, who has still not been handed the manager’s job permanently.
They welcome Norwich City, unbeaten in seven games but having drawn their past three, including a classic 3-3 draw at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday during which they were inspired by the EFL’s leading scorer Borja Sainz.
Oxford United, unbeaten at home, host Swansea City, who have scored only twice in six games on the road, while Boro host Coventry City, with the Sky Blues trying to climb away from trouble.
Rock-bottom Portsmouth will try to win their second game of the season when they visit Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday host Watford, and Bristol City travel to Preston North End.