After two back to back narrow wins, Leeds United have opened up a five-point lead on the second spot of the Championship table. The Whites will now travel to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough in a midweek clash. Boro are unbeaten in their last three home games against Leeds, but they are going through a wretched run of form recently.
Middlesbrough are winless in their last five league games and are languishing at the 20th spot on the table. Not many expected them to struggle at the bottom half of the table. United meanwhile are winless in their last four away games as they have drawn two and lost two. Bielsa and his men will hope to continue with the momentum which they have built up after the last three games.
Team News: Kalvin Phillips had to be substituted against Reading with an injury. Phillips on social media described (Via The Express) his injury as ‘just a dead calf’. Hence, the injury doesn’t seem to be too, severe, but it remains to be seen whether he would recover in time for the midweek encounter. Adam Forshaw continues to be a long term absentee for the Whites.
4-1-4-1 Leeds United Predicted Lineup Vs Middlesbrough
Formation (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Kiko Casilla is expected to keep his place in goal after he made some crucial interventions against Reading. Stuart Dallas is likely to continue at left-back. Liam Cooper will be in his usual centre back role. Ben White will once again partner him in defence. Luke Ayling will be expected to feature at right-back to complete the back four.
Midfield
Phillips’ situation remains uncertain, and he is likely to be assessed closer to the matchday. We are expecting him to get fit after he walked himself off the pitch against Reading. If he fails to recover then Ben White might step up in the defensive midfield position, and the backline could be shuffled with Alioski coming in at left-back, Dallas shifting at right-back and Ayling taking White’s spot in central defence.
Jack Harrison is a nailed-on starter on the left-wing. Mateusz Klich will feature in midfield. Pablo Hernandez scored the winner in the last tie, and he should begin again in the middle. Helder Costa is also likely to feature from the right flank.
Attack
The Whites faithful might be keen to see Jean-Kevin Augustin in action more, but Patrick Bamford continues to remain the first choice option. The Englishman will lead the line again for the Yorkshire outfit.
