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Middlesbrough logo
Championship
Feb 21, 2015 at 12.15pm UK
 
Leeds logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Mowatt (3')

Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Leeds United

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between leaders Middlesbrough and Leeds United.

A buoyant Middlesbrough will head into Saturday's game against Leeds United full of confidence after claiming top spot in the Championship this week.

Despite being a goal behind and down to 10 men at the interval in Wednesday's clash with Birmingham City, Aitor Karanka's men showed impressive fighting spirit as Patrick Bamford scored the equaliser they needed to leapfrog their rivals.

The 1-1 draw extended Middlesbrough's unbeaten run in the Championship to nine games, and they appear to be hitting their best form at the crucial period as they look to secure a return to the Premier League.

However, Karanka will be well aware of the pressure he is under from the likes of Bournemouth, Derby County and Ipswich Town, and it's a safe bet to assume there will be a number of lead changes in the latter stages of the season.

Strong home form has been vital throughout the campaign, and Middlesbrough will go in search of a 10th win at the Riverside in the early kickoff as they look to build on their one-point advantage at the summit.

Leeds make the trip North with their own confidence reaching new heights thanks to victories in their last two matches, and Neil Redfearn's side could go into the top half of the table with a positive result on Saturday.

It will also give Leeds the chance to complete the double over Middlesbrough as they look to repeat August's 1-0 win, which was secured thanks to a late strike from Billy Sharp.

Leeds are likely to name the same side which beat Millwall, while Middlesbrough will be forced into one change as Tomas Mejias prepares to replace the suspended Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Middlesbrough:

Form in Championship: WWWWWD
Form in all competitions: WWWWLD

Possible starting lineup: Mejias, Fredericks, Omeruo, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Forshaw, Tomlin, Bamford, Nsue, Vossen

Leeds:

Recent form: DWWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Silvestri, Wooton, Bamba, Bellusci, Taylor, Murphy, Cook, Byram, Austin, Mowatt, Morison

Sports Mole says: 2-1


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Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford scores the equaliser during the Sky Bet Championship match against Birmingham City on February 18, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1695226121432
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
3Burnley168621961330
4Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
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