In a match that could have ramifications on both the battle for promotion and the battle for the title, Leeds United will host Middlesbrough at Elland Road on Tuesday in their 20th Championship game of the season.
Leeds are second, occupying one of two automatic promotion spots with 38 points, and they beat Derby County 2-0 on Saturday, while the away team are fifth with 31 points and drew 1-1 with third-placed Burnley on Friday.
Match preview
© Imago
The Peacocks are just one point from first-placed Sheffield United and only Burnley have picked up more points in the last five games.
The hosts were dominant at both ends of the pitch against Derby, registering 18 shots and 10 efforts from inside the penalty area, while Derby produced just three shots, two of which were in the box.
Manager Daniel Farke was delighted with his players, telling journalists: "For the first 10, 15 minutes, we were a bit hectic in our decision making but after that we were all over them, didn't allow them to have one chance. We created many chances and could and should have scored a few more, but overall it was a pretty dominant performance."
Farke's side have scored 33 goals and conceded 13 times in the second tier, and of the 24 teams in the division, these returns make them the league's joint best offensive and third-best defensive club.
Leeds are in excellent form having achieved victory in four of their past five games, and they have in fact lost just twice in their last 14 matches, winning nine in that period.
The hosts have been phenomenal at home this season considering they have triumphed in each of their seven most recent fixtures at Elland Road, keeping six clean sheets and conceding just once.
© Imago
Middlesbrough come into Tuesday's clash having arguably outplayed Burnley last time out given they created two big chances while having prevented the Clarets from producing any big chances of their own.
Boss Michael Carrick's side have experienced an impressive uptick in form given they had lost four, drawn two and won four of their first 10 league matches, but they have since prevailed in five, drawn two and been beaten in two.
Boro ranked 21st for goals, 18th for big chances scored and last for shot conversion after 10 matchweeks, but they ranked first in each of these metrics in their next eight games.
Carrick's team have won four of their past six Championship fixtures, netting on 19 occasions, but they did fail to keep a clean sheet in that time.
The visitors are undefeated in their four most recent outings away from home, and though they scored 14 goals in those matches, they did concede seven times.
Team News
© Imago
Though Leeds have a relatively healthy squad, they will still be unable to select midfielder Ilia Gruev and forward Joe Gelhardt.
Expect the hosts to start Dan James, Brenden Aaronson and Wilfried Gnonto behind striker Joel Piroe.
In midfield, fans are likely to see Farke deploy Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell together in a double pivot.
Defender Junior Firpo is not likely to return until January 2025 due to a hamstring injury, while Sam Byram is scheduled to make his comeback in late December, so perhaps the home team will select Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Maximilian Wober in defence.
As for Middlesbrough, they head into the clash without a number of defenders, with Alex Bangura, Darragh Lenihan, Rav van den Berg and Tommy Smith set to miss out.
Anfernee Dijksteel and Neto Borges are likely to be fielded as full-backs either side of centre-backs Dael Fry and George Edmundson.
Midfielder Aidan Morris has also been ruled out, so expect Carrick to select midfielders Daniel Barlaser and Hayden Hackney in his absence.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Wober; Tanka, Rothwell; James, Aaronson, Gnonto; Piroe
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dijksteel, Fry, Edmundson, Borges; Barlaser, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, Burgzorg; Conway
We say: Leeds United 3-2 Middlesbrough
Leeds should come into the clash as slight favourites due to their exceptional home record and strong defensive performances in recent weeks.
Middlesbrough have struggled to keep opponents at bay, but they have been phenomenal in attack, and while they might lose on Tuesday due to their leaky defence, they will no doubt create chances in front of goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
