On Wednesday night, struggling Middlesbrough host promotion-chasing Leeds at the Riverside Stadium, in a game that could prove vital at both ends of the Championship table.
Middlesbrough are just three points clear of the relegation zone after a poor campaign in the second tier. A ten-game run without a league victory has led to Boro’s current precarious position in the table.
Last time out in the league, the home side suffered a 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Barnsley. It was their second straight league defeat and their third in four matches in the Championship.
Jonathan Woodgate’s team have struggled for goals this season. In fact, they are the joint-lowest scorers in the second tier alongside Wigan.
Another factor in their struggles this season has been their underwhelming home form in the Championship. Although they have lost just one of their last ten league matches at the Riverside Stadium, they have failed to win in four league outings on home soil.
A 1-0 defeat against Luton in their last home match ended a nine-game unbeaten run on home soil. The three previous home matches had finished in draws.
Leeds United look to be in a strong position to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League. The Whites are currently five points clear of third-place Fulham in the race to go up automatically.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team recorded a 1-0 home win against Reading last time out was Leeds’s second straight win in the Championship. The victory over the Royals was the fifth straight Leeds league match to produce under 2.5 goals.
The team from Yorkshire has a poor recent away record in the Championship, having won just once in six matches in the second tier, having failed to win in four games on their travels.
💬 "Every Championship game is tough" Ben discusses Saturday's clean sheet, playing in midfield, and the upcoming clash with Middlesbrough— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 24, 2020
💬 "Every Championship game is tough" Ben discusses Saturday's clean sheet, playing in midfield, and the upcoming clash with Middlesbrough
Forebet predicts that Leeds will record a victory in a low-scoring encounter to consolidate their position in the automatic promotion spots.