Leeds United will be desperate to address their slide when they take on Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
As the Championship promotion race enters its critical final stretch, Middlesbrough and Leeds United face off in a pivotal midweek showdown under the lights at the Riverside Stadium. For Boro, it is about keeping their playoff dream alive. For Leeds, it is about clawing their way back into the top two after letting momentum slip.
What a turnaround it has been for Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough. Not long ago, the Teessiders were reeling from a five-game losing streak that threatened to derail their season entirely. Fast forward to April, and Boro are suddenly one of the form teams in the division, with five wins in their last seven outings lifting them firmly back into playoff contention.
Their most recent victory, a composed 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and was sealed with early goals from Tommy Conway and Samuel Iling-Junior, allowing Carrick’s men to control the tempo and see the game out with minimal fuss. That result nudged Boro a point clear of seventh place, and with six matches remaining, every point now holds massive value.
At home, they have been particularly strong, stringing together three straight Championship victories at the Riverside, their best home run since early 2023, when they rattled off seven in a row. With belief growing and momentum on their side, Boro will be optimistic about causing problems for a Leeds side that has hit a bump in the road.
That said, the recent history in this fixture is not in their favour. Middlesbrough have lost five consecutive league matches to Leeds, shipping three or more goals in four of those contests. Even earlier this season, they fell 3-1 at Elland Road, despite winning an EFL Cup clash between the sides prior to that.
For Daniel Farke’s Leeds United, the run-in is proving far more stressful than it looked just a few weeks ago. A side that once seemed destined for automatic promotion is now watching the top two pull away. Saturday’s 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Luton Town marked a third consecutive stalemate for the Whites, who have now won just once in six league outings.
While Daniel James rescued a point with a brilliant finish, Leeds will rue another missed opportunity — particularly as it followed dropped points against Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City. Their inability to put together a complete 90-minute performance has become a recurring issue, and crucially, they have fallen behind in each of their last four away games, forcing them to chase results too often.
Still, if there is a manager who knows how to navigate the chaos of a promotion race, it is Farke. The German tactician has already achieved five career promotions and will draw on that experience as he attempts to get his squad over the line. Encouragingly for Leeds, Farke boasts a remarkable record against Middlesbrough, winning eight of his nine league meetings, more than against any other club during his time in England.
But records do not win football matches, and with pressure mounting and rivals breathing down their necks, Leeds must rediscover the winning habit quickly or risk being dragged into the playoff lottery. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Middlesbrough
Michael Carrick will once again have to contend with a depleted backline ahead of Tuesday’s critical clash with Leeds United. Already without defenders Dael Fry, George Edmundson, and Luke Ayling, Carrick has now lost Neto Borges as well, after the centre-back sustained an ankle injury during the win over Blackburn Rovers. This growing list of absentees in defence poses a challenge, especially against a Leeds side that boasts considerable firepower in wide areas and in transition.
In light of Borges’s injury, Rav van den Berg is expected to slot into the backline and partner Jonny Howson in central defence. There are no new suspension issues for Boro, allowing Carrick to maintain some consistency in midfield and attack, where he has found a balanced setup in recent weeks.
In attack, Tommy Conway is set to lead the line once again after netting his 12th Championship goal of the season against Blackburn. He will be supported by the in-form Finn Azaz and Kelechi Iheanacho, while Samuel Iling-Junior, who also impressed last time out, is expected to retain his starting role on the left.
Middlesbrough are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mark Travers will continue in goal, protected by a defensive four comprising Anfernee Dijksteel at right-back, Rav van den Berg and Jonathan Howson in the centre, and Ryan Giles at left-back. In midfield, Hayden Hackney will partner Aidan Morris in the double pivot, responsible for both shielding the defence and supporting transitions forward.
Ahead of them, Samuel Iling-Junior will occupy the left flank, Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to operate in the central playmaker role, and Finn Azaz will start on the right. At the tip of the spear, Tommy Conway will look to continue his fine goalscoring form and lead the attack with energy and precision.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Travers; Dijksteel, Van den Berg, Howson, Giles; Hackney, Morris; Iling-Junior, Iheanacho, Azaz; Conway
Leeds United
Leeds United head into Tuesday’s high-stakes clash with encouraging news on the injury front, as Patrick Bamford and Maximilian Wober have both returned to full training following extended spells on the sidelines. The duo made brief appearances off the bench over the weekend, and while they may not yet be ready to start, their availability adds much-needed depth as the promotion race intensifies.
In goal, manager Daniel Farke opted to start Karl Darlow ahead of Illan Meslier during the draw with Luton Town, a decision influenced by Darlow’s experience and composure. Given Farke’s comments and Darlow’s solid showing, the veteran goalkeeper is expected to retain his place between the sticks.
There are no new injuries or suspensions for Leeds, giving Farke a largely settled squad to choose from. The likes of Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville remain sidelined, however, limiting options out wide.
Leeds United are expected to line up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. Karl Darlow will start in goal, behind a back four featuring Jayden Bogle at right-back, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk in central defence, and Junior Firpo at left-back. In midfield, Ao Tanaka will be paired with Ethan Ampadu in the double pivot, offering a mix of ball progression and defensive solidity.
Further forward, Daniel James will occupy the right wing, with Brenden Aaronson in the central attacking midfield role, and Manor Solomon on the left. Leading the line will be Joel Piroe, who continues to be Leeds United’s most reliable scoring threat and will be tasked with unsettling a patched-up Middlesbrough backline.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Ampadu; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe
Key Stats
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Middlesbrough have lost each of their last five Championship matches against Leeds United, conceding three or more goals in four of those defeats.
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Leeds have won their last two away league games at the Riverside, and a third straight win there would match their longest-ever run of away league victories at Middlesbrough (last achieved between 2003 and 2012).
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Middlesbrough have won their last three home league games, their best streak at the Riverside since a seven-game home winning run in March 2023.
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Leeds United have won seven of their last eight midweek league games (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday), with the only exception being a 1-0 loss to Millwall in November.
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Daniel Farke has won eight of his nine league matches against Middlesbrough (D1), making Boro the team he has beaten the most in his English league managerial career.
Player to Watch
Daniel James
James offers a directness and unpredictability that few in the Championship can match. His ability to stretch defences, exploit space on the counter, and create chances from wide areas makes him an essential outlet, particularly against a Middlesbrough side that may commit bodies forward at home. With Leeds struggling to convert possession into dominance in recent matches, James’ dynamism will be key to unsettling Boro’s makeshift backline.
His versatility — capable of operating on either flank or even in more central roles — gives manager Daniel Farke valuable tactical flexibility. But more than just his positioning, it’s James’ work rate and fearlessness in one-on-one situations that make him Leeds’ most dangerous weapon heading into this crucial promotion clash.
If Leeds are to break their winless run and reignite their push for automatic promotion, expect Daniel James to be at the heart of the action.
Prediction
Middlesbrough 2-1 Leeds United
This is a clash of momentum versus pedigree. Middlesbrough are flying and have rediscovered belief at the right time. Leeds, though rich in talent, look nervy and have developed a worrying habit of letting points slip away. Given Boro’s home form and Leeds’ recent fragility, this could be a night for the hosts to make a statement.
Michael Carrick’s side keep their playoff charge on course while Leeds United face further frustration on the road. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Carrick and his charges.
