Verdict: Leeds win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two sides who enjoyed a stellar start to the new Championship campaign and are tipped by many in the race for automatic promotion, on Friday night Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough side will travel to a revitalized Elland Road.
Leeds
Even under the guidance of former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa, few who have expected the rise that Leeds would have had at the start of the new season. Winning four of their five opening games, The Whites are yet to be beaten in any competition this year and are flying high at the top of the table as we enter September. Scoring 14 in their five league outings, while only their goal difference sees them sit above their visitors on Friday, no team in the Championship has scored more goals than Leeds. One man to watch for the hosts is in-form striker Kemar Roofe, the 25-year-old now has four in five and sits second in the goalscoring charts. While a 2-0 loss to Preston may have brought their League Cup run to an end last time out, Bielsa named a heavily altered squad and is expected to bring back a string of first-team players. Playing the most eye-catching football in the Championship, Leeds have now scored two or more goals in each of their opening matches.
Team News
Izzy Brown has signed for the Whites on loan but is not expected to be fit for a couple of weeks, while Liam Cooper (hamstring) also remains injured.
Coming up against his old side, it looks like Patrick Bamford will be replaced by the in-form Kemar Roofe.
Middlesbrough
As for Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough side, while The Reds may not have brought in the players they would have liked over the summer, Boro have also started the new season brightly. Booking their spot in the third round of the League Cup with a 2-1 win over League One side Rochdale last time out, Middlesbrough are also yet to taste defeat in the Championship. Conceding just two goals in their opening five games, the visitors currently hold the best defensive record in the division and Pulis has transformed them into an incredibly hard side to break down. While they have impressed with their defensive record, Boro also have their own man in the final third who has started the new season with an impressive run of form. Norweigan international Martin Braithwaite now has three in his last three Championship appearances.
Team News
Boro boss Tony Pulis has added Sam McQueen to his squad ahead of the game. The Southampton full-back will spend the rest of the season on loan at the Riverside Stadium.
Key Factors to Consider
- Leeds have won four of their last five home league matches against Middlesbrough, drawing the other – they won 2-1 last season.
- Middlesbrough’s last away league visit to Elland Road against Leeds on a Friday was on Christmas Day in 1936 – they lost 5-0.
- Leeds United’s Pablo Hernández has been directly involved in more Championship goals in 2018 than any other player at the club (6 goals, 7 assists).
- Leeds have made their best ever start to a second-tier season, winning 13 points from a possible 15, while Middlesbrough have equalled their best points return in this division set back in 1994-95 (13 pts).
- Kemar Roofe has four in his opening five Championship appearances.
Conclusion
A battle of the two leading contenders to lift the Championship title, on paper, it is the glamour tie of this weekends Championship fixtures. While Pulis’ side will travel to Elland Road boasting a very eye-catching defensive record, the former Stoke boss will face a very tough nights work. Given Leeds have now scored six times in their last three home matches, coupled with the in-form Kemar Roofe leading the line, we’re backing The Whites to hand Boro their first loss of the season and pick up the three points.
Verdict: Leeds win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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