Leeds United got back to winning ways on Saturday when they beat Derby County 2-0 at Elland Road. The result got them back into the top two automatic promotion spots and they are just two points behind league leaders Sheffield United. The Whites are one of the top contenders for promotion but that is expected to be tested when Middlesbrough visit Elland Road tonight.
Mind games around the promotion race have already started with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder insisting that Leeds are ‘miles ahead’ of his team in terms of quality and experience.
With 27 games left to play in the Championship, nothing is a done deal yet but it seems Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley are likely to be fighting for the top two spots until the end of the season.
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are also in the promotion race but they are sitting fifth in the league table and are likely expected to fight to be in the end-of-season playoffs rather than challenge for a top-two spot this term.
However, Boro are a free-scoring side and have netted the most number of goals in the Championship this season along with the Yorkshire giants.
They are expected to pose a tough challenge to Leeds and it is building up to be an exciting encounter as both teams like to play on the front foot and score goals.
Daniel Farke could turn out to be Leeds’ key on the sidelines given his record against Middlesbrough.
The Leeds United boss has an enviable managerial record against Boro
Leeds are favourites to win at home despite Middlesbrough’s place in the table and the overall quality of their team. Farke’s record should tilt the scales towards the Whites at Elland Road.
The German’s Championship experience means Middlesbrough have been a regular opponent for him. He has faced Middlesbrough on nine occasions, three with Leeds and then six with former side Norwich City.
Farke has clocked up seven wins against Boro with Leeds doing the double – home and away – against Carrick’s team last season.
When he was the Norwich manager, the Canaries did not concede a single goal against Middlesbrough in six games. On five occasions, they beat Boro 1-0 with Farke in the dugout, drawing the other 0-0.
With the German in the dugout, Leeds must be confident about scoring all three points when Carrick’s Boro side come visiting tonight at Elland Road.
However, given the goalscoring record of the two teams, we can safely assume that it is unlikely to end in a drab 0-0 draw,
