Leeds United - v - Middlesbrough ***Matchday Thread***

[BelfastAndy]

Leeds vs Middlesbrough Preview

Leeds United collected a fourth win in five games in the Championship in midweek when they accounted for Swansea City 3-1 at Elland Road and the Yorkshire club will be looking for more of the same when they play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon with the hosts now sitting in third spot, while Middlesbrough sit in a mid-table position of 10th place following a 4-0 thrashing of Preston NE during the week.

Leeds United had made a slow but steady start to this Championship campaign as Daniel Farke's side had managed to capture just three wins out of their opening nine games of the new term with victories over Ipswich Town, Millwall and Watford and losing just once, but the hosts have really moved through the gears to record seven wins in their subsequent nine matches which has helped lift them up into play-off contention.

Being seven points adrift of second placed Ipswich Town, Leeds still require the Tractor Boys to slip up at some point but nevertheless, Leeds United are building impressive momentum especially at home where Farke's side have now won their last six home games on the trot which has extended Leeds United's unbeaten run at Elland Road in the Championship to 17 matches.

Middlesbrough now sit in the top half of the Championship table thanks to staging a recovery from what was a miserable and dire start to their second tier campaign which saw Boro endure a seven-match period without a win and suffering five defeats in the process.

However, last season's play-off participants have bounced back by capturing eight wins out of their subsequent 11 matches overall and although Michael Carrick's side have slipped to recent defeats at the hands of Stoke City and Bristol City, Boro still provide a threat on the road as the north-east visitors have collected wins on their travels at Watford, Sunderland and Norwich City, so Leeds need to respect their upcoming opponents on Saturday.

The bigger picture though suggests Middlesbrough might have trouble keeping up with an in-form and confident Leeds United who are close to firing on all cylinders at Elland Road on Saturday as Boro have managed to achieve just three wins out of their previous 14 outings on the road, while also keeping just two clean sheets in their last 23 away games as well.

Goals could also feature as 11 of Middlesbrough's last 14 away games have also resulted in Over 2.5 goals being scored.

Leeds United v Middlesbrough Verdict

Leeds United have won each of the previous two meetings against Middlesbrough and the Yorkshire outfit look in great shape to add another victory here on Saturday at a packed Elland Road.

2 - 0.

MOT.

[CalverleyBoy]

Just watched the second half of the Preston - QPR game both sides looked dire, Chair seemed to make the difference in the second half when he came on for QPR. In theory we shouldn't be worried by either team but as we know it doesn't work like that! We have had three points off QPR already, they have a new manager (he's Spanish and looked really impressed with the weather lol)and play PNE Xmas and then in the New Year. please six points from them; I need to be able to hold my head up on the streets of Preston.

[BelfastAndy]

Yip. Thought they were both pretty grim plus the ground was empty!

[CalverleyBoy]

Yip. Thought they were both pretty grim plus the ground was empty!

Very few travelling supporters but they don't draw a crowd at the best of times. Just watching W Brom and Leicester, currently nil nil at half time and hoping it stays that way. WB have just lost Phillips with an injury which they wont like. It's a cold day so muscle and tendons will take a hammering, not a time to stand still I guess

[Blackspaven]

Cannot find a single link for today, which is rare... anyone else have any joy?? 🤷

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

C’mon you Baggies

[spaldy]

Just tied it up and attacking!

[CalverleyBoy]

C’mon you Baggies

I had just given up on them and went to toilet thinking it was all over and ---------- no more now please a draw works

[CalverleyBoy]

I had just given up on them and went to toilet thinking it was all over and ---------- no more now please a draw works

Bugg@@@

[BelfastAndy]