Middlesbrough entertain Leeds in a blockbuster Championship showdown in the race for promotion.
Victory would see Boro stay fifth in the table, whilst Leeds can go top if Burnley and Sheffield United both fail to win elsewhere.
Team News
Neto Borges is set to miss out for Middlesbrough after he suffered an ankle injury in their 2-0 victory at Blackburn.
Sol Brynn (shoulder), Dael Fry (calf), Luke Ayling, George Edmundson (both ankle) Alex Bangura (Achilles), Ben Doak (thigh) and Darragh Lenihan (fitness/Achilles) are still sidelined.
Leeds will be without Pascal Struijk after he suffered an ankle injury during their comeback 1-1 draw at Luton.
Mateo Joseph (illness) could return but Joe Rothwell (calf) is set to again be sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Leeds at Riverside Stadium on Tuesday 8 April at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough are winless in their last seven league meetings against Leeds (D2, L5).
- Leeds have won two of their last five trips to Boro (W2, D1, L2).
- Victory would see Leeds record three consecutive away wins against Middlesbrough for the first time since August 2003 – March 2012.
- Samuel Iling-Junior has been involved in three of Boro’s last four goals, having registered one goal and two assists in his last two appearances.
- Leeds have conceded first in each of their last four away matches (W1, D2, L1).
Prediction
Now back in the play-off spots after a clinical display at a tame Blackburn, Middlesbrough need to just try and build on that display with an even stronger performance because they can’t afford any slip-ups given how close the chasing pack are coming into this matchweek.
Leeds meanwhile seem to be stuttering at the worst possible time just like last season which has to raise fear amongst their fans that they will once more blow automatic promotion, especially after a frustrating draw at Luton and the fact that they’ve conceded first in their last four away trips adds extra worry coming to Teesside.
The first goal therefore could well be key to the outcome of the match and with Boro having scored in six of seven home league games since the turn of 2025, I do think that if they can score first then a draw can be grinded out.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Leeds
