Leeds United will make a short trip to North Yorkshire to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium at the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brentford last weekend. Both teams have fallen off the pace in their quest to secure a playoff spot at the end of the season. The Peacocks are just three points behind the Boro in the league table and can go level on points with their North Yorkshire rivals if they can bag the win on Friday night. Meanwhile, Tony Pulis’ side can jump up to sixth place with a victory over their West Yorkshire rivals.
The recent history of the fixture makes a grim reading for the home team as the Peacocks have won three of their last five encounters with Middlesbrough. Paul Heckingbottom is expected to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation and might name an unchanged side for this clash.
4-2-3-1 Leeds United Predicted Lineup To Face Middlesbrough
Defence
Felix Wiedwald will once again start in goal for the Peacocks and is expected to be shielded by a back four of Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson in central defence while Gaetano Berardi takes his place at right-back and Vernon Anita starts on the left-hand side of the backline.
Paul Heckingbottom will be hoping that his defenders can keep a rare clean sheet versus the Boro on Friday night in what is set to be his fifth game in charge of the Peacocks.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane will line up as the holding midfielders while Ezgjan Alioski and Stuart Dallas might play on the wings. Samuel Saiz could be handed his second start after his recent six-match suspension for spitting on an opponent. The Spaniard will be deployed in the number 10 position and will be an integral member of the Leeds attack.
Paul Heckingbottom’s midfield will be responsible for creating and scoring goals on the day to try and put an end to their recent poor run in front of goal which has seen them score only eleven times in their last eleven games in all competitions.
Attack
Pierre-Michel Lasogga is expected to lead the lines for Leeds United up top. The German forward has been in good form this season and will look to add to his goal tally of 10 goals in 22 matches in the Skybet Championship when he laces up to face the Boro defence on Friday. It remains to be seen if he can get his name on the scoresheet against Tony Pulis’ side.
