Middlesbrough travel to Elland Road this weekend, where they will look to beat an in-form Leeds United. This week’s hosts have won the last two meetings between the clubs.
Leeds
The Whites have been incredible under Daniel Farke after a shaky first few games, winning 80% of their last ten matches. Leeds have accumulated 35 points this season and they are placed in third. They are strong at both ends of the field, scoring 31 goals and only conceding a goal per game, 18, the third best defensive record in the league.
Leeds went behind within the first minute in their most recent match, but just three minutes later, they had equalised through former Swansea star, Joel Piroe. Georginio Rutter put his side ahead before the break and set one up just after the hour mark, with Farke’s team beating the Swans 3-1.
Middlesbrough
Boro’s form has massively improved since the end of September, picking up all of their Championship wins from that point on. Michael Carrick’s side scored the sixth most goals per game this season, 1.61, but their tenth position in the table is mainly due to their slightly weak defence, that suffers 1.44 per game on average.
That said, they had no defensive issues this week as they breezed to a 4-0 home win over Preston. Boro dominated the tie from the first whistle, and they were up 3-0 by the break. The visitors only registered 0.18 XG which highlights how Middlesbrough nullified any threat.
Verdict?
Middlesbrough have struggled at the back in the previous two away matches, conceding three goals in both games. Leeds will look to take advantage of that vulnerability this weekend.
The final prediction is Leeds 2-1 Middlesbrough.
