Leeds United travel to Middlesbrough on Monday night with a Championship automatic promotion spot still firmly in their sights as they target an instant return to the Premier League.
Leeds United have three huge games remaining to get their Championship promotion push over the line. The Whites have been in and out of the top two in recent weeks, but as it stands they need to make two points on Ipswich Town to regain their advantage.
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That all starts with a trip to Middlesbrough, which will be far from an easy clash for Leeds manager Daniel Farke. The Teesside outfit are unbeaten in their last nine matches in the Championship, though hopes of a play-off finish are fading rapidly.
Michael Carrick will be looking for his Boro side to finish strong though, which may prove to be a tricky tie for Leeds.
Daniel Farke previews Middlesbrough vs Leeds
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Farke has predicted a tough match at the Riverside Stadium, believing the home side will be highly motivated. The manager said, via the official Leeds United website: “It’s a side in recent weeks who were there with really good performances.
“It’s a side who, at the beginning of the season, would also speak about that they want to finish in the top six and there’s still a chance, so you have to keep going until the end.
“I expect them to be highly motivated, perhaps to play even with a bit less pressure because they have nothing to lose anymore, they just can win something.
“Obviously it is also a pretty local game and they will be highly motivated in the home game to be there with outstanding performance and really good results. So I expect a really tough, tough game for us.”
Middlesbrough have managed to earn points against both Ipswich and Southampton in recent weeks, proving they are capable of facing top teams. With five clean sheets in their last nine unbeaten games, it could be a tricky test unlocking the Boro defence.
Leeds and Middlesbrough head-to-head record
Leeds United and Middlesbrough will face off for the 103rd time in their history across all competitions. In terms of that record, the Whites currently lead the way for victories against their opposition, though there is a relatively even spread of results.
Leeds and Middlesbrough head-to-head is as follows:
Farke will be hopeful that he can notch up a 42nd Leeds win to that table, following a 3-2 victory in the reverse fixtures earlier this season. Any win at this stage of the campaign could go a long way towards earning promotion.