Middlesbrough v Leeds Preview

Last season Leeds did the double over Middlesbrough, winning by a goal to nil at both Eland Road and the Riverside. Some may say those six points dropped by Aitor Karanka’s side eventually cost them a place in Premier League, after they fell four points short of a top two position. Boro may have missed out on promotion via the play-offs, but have since started this season in red hot form and come in to this match of the back of six straight wins in all competitions. In contrast Leeds have made a sure but steady start under new manager Uwe Rosler drawing five of their eight games, of which they have only lost one.   

Team News

Striker Christian Stuani and defender Daniel Ayala both missed Boro’s 3-0 victory over Wolves in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday and according to Middlesbrough’s Evening Gazette the pair are doubtful for today’s game. Adam Forshaw and debutant Carlos De Pena were among the players who impressed in mid-week, however they are likely to drop back down to the bench. Winger Adam Reach will be unavailable after signing for Preston on a three-month loan deal.

Rosler, who has lost just one game since his appointment in May, has no new injury concerns following his side’s 2-1 victory over MK Dons last weekend. 22 year old forward Jordan Botaka could make his debut after signing for the club on transfer deadline day from Dutch side S.B.V. Excelsior. Right back Sam Byram may feature but according to Sky Sports refused to sign a new deal at the club earlier this week.

Facts and Stats

Leeds striker Chris Wood has scored in his last three games away games.

Boro have won just one of their last seven matches against Leeds, which came in 2013 when Curtis Main scored the only goal of the game.

When the sides met at the Riverside last season Boro had 14 shots and 18 corners but still lost the game 1-0 after Alex Mowatt’s 3^rd minute goal.

Key Players

 Middlesbrough striker David Nugent

Boro’s Key

David Nugent – Ever since their relegation from the Premier League six years ago Boro have needed an effective goal scoring centre forward who can play upfront on his own. In David Nugent they may have finally found the answer. The former Leicester striker, who scored 20 goals in the division two years ago, already has two this campaign and has shown his ability to haste defenders and make intelligent runs into the channels. Last season Aitor Karanka’s team dominated the game at the Riverside but just couldn’t score, so all eyes will be on the Boro forwards this time around

One To Watch

Leeds defender Sol Bamba

Sol Bamba

In this fixture last season centre back Sol Bamba produced one of the performances of his career. Bamba, who was on loan from Palermo last season, signed for the Yorkshire club permanently   this summer and has become key figure in Leeds’ backline, hence the decision to make him captain. In recent fixtures teams have been happy to come to the Riverside and pack men behind the ball, if that is the case the Leeds defence and especially Bamba will have to be on form.

Form

Middlesbrough

Wolves 3-0 W (Capital One Cup)

Nottingham Forest 1-2 W

Brentford 3-1 W

MK Dons 2-0 W

Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 W

Leeds

MK Dons 1-2 W

Ipswich 0-1 L

Brentford 1-1 D

Derby 1-2 W

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 D

Prediction

Middlesbrough 2 Leeds 1

Leeds have been a bogey team for Boro in recent seasons and as a Boro fan I have become very wary of the threat they pose. In the two tight meetings between the sides last season Leeds raised their game in front of the Sky cameras and I expect this matchup to be similarly close with neither side wanting to lose. Even so Boro are in great form and there should be a decent crowd at the Riverside so I’m hoping they’ll nick it this time.