Already at the start of the sixth round of the English Championship, we have two leading teams on the table, with the proviso that Leeds and Middlesbrough currently have 13 points won. It actually means that both teams have so far made four wins and one draw, while we also need to add that Leeds has the best attack and Middlesbrough the best defence in the league. We should also add that last year both of their mutual duels ended with a victory of the host.
For this very reason and because of their brilliant games at the opening of the new season, in Leeds believe that they can on Friday night come to a home victory over Middlesbrough and thus become independent again at the very top of the table. Otherwise, the former English champions had after the 13th place won in the last season, brought the experienced Argentine expert Biels as their coach, because they have won even 13 points in the first five rounds with a fantastic goal difference of 14:4.
However, this winning atmosphere was last week damaged by the elimination from the League Cup after losing with 2-0 from Preston, but we also have to know that Bielsa has rested most of the players in that match, because he wants them to be ready for this much more important championship match with Middlesbrough. As for the problem with absences, center-back Cooper and midfielders Forshaw and Dallas are still out of action.
Probable lineups Leeds: Peacock-Farrell – Ayling, Jansson, Berardi, Douglas – Phillips – Hernandez, Klich, Saiz, Alioski – Roofe
As for the guests from Middlesbrough, they were under the baton of their experienced coach Pulis last year very close to placement in the elite rank, but they were stopped in the playoff semi-finals by Aston Villa, so they will do their best this season to win one of the first two places and thus secure direct placement in the Premier League. They have so far been on a very good path, since they, after a draw in the first round, made even four wins, and what is very important is that they have not received any goals.
Meanwhile, they have thanks to Rochdale passed in the next round of the League Cup, without the help of most of their starters, which the returnee from Everton, midfielder Besic, used most to his advantage, so that we can now expect him from the first minute in this duel with Leeds. Especially because Pulis will in this match use a particularly defensive tactic in order to stay undefeated, while we also need to add that striker Gestede is still injured.
Probable lineups Middlesbrough: Randolph – Ayala, Flint, Fry – Shotton, Clayton, Besic, Howson, Friend – Braithwaite, Assombalonga
Both teams have made four wins and one draw in the first five rounds and they are now in the first two positions on the table, so they will probably play a bit more cautiously in this duel with the aim to avoid their first championship defeat in the new season.
Pick: under 2.5 goals
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