please log in to view this image Middlesbrough vs Leeds United please log in to view this image Saturday February 22nd, 2014 - K.O 12:15 - Riverside Stadium please log in to view this image After an extended lay off from football, Leeds are back in the action this weekend against Northern neighbours and "friends" Middlesbrough. A trip to the riverside comes on the back of a 1-0 defeat that took the sting out of a Leeds team looking to build a run of form once again. Every day life for a Leeds fan is full of rumour and conjecture now, so the Whites will be hoping to give something to smile about on the road this weekend. Middlesbrough were beaten away at Watford the last time out to continue a miserable run, and one which has seen their playoff hopes all but evaporate. Aitor Karanka will be looking to fire his team up for this one and hope to buck the trend of worrying form. Brian McDermott's position as manager at Leeds seems a little more secure than it was originally thought after a meeting with prospective owner Massimo Cellino, but he will be turning his thoughts to getting the best out of his newest players on the wings, rather than the farce that is the Football League's decision making process this weekend. What Do The Stats Say? Both history and form are with Leeds heading into this one, so on paper the result should be positive for Leeds fans. It's historically been a close tie (33 wins vs 28 wins) the last 5 meetings saw 3 wins for Leeds and 2 for Middlesbrough. In terms of how many goals to expect this could be a difficult one. Middlesbrough have kept a clean sheet in their last 5 home games, but they've also failed to score in their last 5, a major contributing factor to this poor run. Leeds' 8 goals scored in their last 5 is less impressive when you consider 5 of those goals game in one game, but there is a feeling that the defensive record will improve if Paddy Kenny doesn't succumb to mistakes which have crept into his game. Form Guide (Last 5 League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Form[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD]L - X - W - W - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]7[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Middlesbro[/TD] [TD]L - D - D - D - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]0[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head to Head (Previous League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Team[/TD] [TD="align: center"]P[/TD] [TD="align: center"]W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]GD[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]85[/TD] [TD="align: center"]33[/TD] [TD="align: center"]24[/TD] [TD="align: center"]28[/TD] [TD="align: center"]131[/TD] [TD="align: center"]113[/TD] [TD="align: center"]18[/TD] [TD="align: center"]123[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Middlesbro[/TD] [TD="align: center"]85[/TD] [TD="align: center"]28[/TD] [TD="align: center"]24[/TD] [TD="align: center"]33[/TD] [TD="align: center"]113[/TD] [TD="align: center"]131[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-18[/TD] [TD="align: center"]108[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 20/02/14) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Middlesbro Win[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Draw[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Leeds Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"] Evens[/TD] [TD="align: center"] 12/5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11/4[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Middlesbrough Top Scorers (League) Albert Adomah...9 Mustapha Carayol...7 Grant Leadbitter...6 Karanka is unable to select Ben Gibson for this one as he is suspended, so Seb Hines could start in his place. However, Dean Whitehead and Danny Graham should return to the starting lineup, with Adomah and Carayol looking to rediscover their potency from midfield. Leeds United Top Scorers (League) Ross McCormack...22 Matt Smith...7 Rodolph Austin...2 Matt Smith is expected to start, with McDermott able to select who he chooses from his squad. I'm still not finding any information on Wooton, and I've read that Diouf will not be making the trip. There's always confusion over that so we'll move on. Stewart and Kebe are expect to occupy the wide berths, and have a go at feeding Matt Smith, hopefully not too predictably... The Damned Prediction: 0-1 Win Middlesbrough have struggled in front of goal, and despite the expectation that Danny Graham will return I think their low confidence will continue here. We've got to keep a clean sheet at some point, the last time was 21st December, the 0-0 draw with Barnsley. Part of me feels 0-0 is the more likely result here, but I'm hopeful that we'll be able to grab the goal that wins it. Smith and McCormack were starting to put together a reasonable partnership before his suspension, so hopefully that will be rekindled, as we all know we are far too reliant on Ross at the minute! please log in to view this image Attacking 4-4-2 for me. Give Kebe and Stewart a shot as proper wingers rather than the Inside Forward role which is common in a 4-2-3-1. They'll have Smith to aim crosses at, and with 2 strikers we should be able to stretch their back 4 and create openings for some passing along the floor too. I've gone with Austin and Murphy in the middle as I still have faith that they are our best holding / distribution partnership. Back 5 has been pretty consistent for a while now selection wise, with no news on why Wooton and Zaliukas are persistently missing, I'll stick with it. Over to the not606 faithful, let's have some score and team predictions
It looks like Middlesborough don't know where the back of the net is, last goal was a month ago, they haven't scored in their last 5 games. A must win and a very winnable game for us however I see them winning this one 2-1 and putting more pressure on Brian
Fair play Durham on another good match day thread. I wouldn't have the patience. I don't like playing Boro, for a change I think it'll be a score draw, don't think we can keep a clean sheet...
Shhhhh Ristac. We don't want to wakr them up. Another great matchday thread. Thn this is one where we should win, but it will depend on team selection. 442 for me with Stewart and Kebe as out and out wingers. Austin and Murphy in CM. Smith and Ross up front. Normal back 4. If Kebe and/or Stewart get their act together, we have the ability to score a hatful. If they don't, it'll be a 2-1 to Leeds. Good day Saturday. Leeds to hammer 'Boro & England to turn over the Irish..... & before Shaks sticks his two bob's worth in, I see Rugby League are starting to look concerned about the exodus of League players to play the real game at Twickers, Landsdown Road etc.
Austin needs dropping he is crap away from home. Play Brown instead for Middlesbroughs cup final/ local derby.
Cheeras Shaks. & as for you sticking your two bobs worth in, my mistake. I was confusing you with MTMB I think. By the way, it'll always be Landsdown Road, regardless of what some company now choose to call it.
Fair point Glory. Maybe first half Brown and Austin. 2nd half when w've got the game sown up, Murphy and Mowatt to add some flair.
The thing is Boggers, the old stadium was knocked down, so it'll never be the same. Used to go to all the Football and rugby matches there. Only been once to the Aviva and found it depressing, no atmosphere.
Brown instead of Austin every time. In fact any other midfielder we have on our books instead of Austin
