Saturday August 16th, 2014 please log in to view this image Leeds United vs Middlesbrough please log in to view this image Elland Road - K.O 12:15 [TABLE="width: 620, align: center"] [TR] [TD="width: 380, colspan: 3, align: left"]New signings galore! It's anyones guess what our strongest XI is at the minute, but after picking up an albeit shaky win against Accrington in the cup midweek, a few of the younger players have staked their claim to a bench spot at least. Middlesborough had a comfortable cup round with a 3-0 win against Oldham, and Karanka's side are looking good so far this season. Elland Road will be rocking on Saturday with fans excited to see some of the new faces, and give Billy Sharp a warm welcome to Leeds. Middlesbrough are no strangers to the Elland Road atmosphere though, and will be looking for nothing less than all three points with their ambitions firmly set on the top 6 this season. The history books show Leeds have the slightest of upper hands in recent fixtures, but there doesn't seem to be any sort of bias towards the home or away team in the fixture. This one usually has goals in it, and the last 6 meetings have provided 10 goals, with only the most recent finishing in a 0-0 draw.[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Leeds Wins 33 Draws 25 Middlesbrough Wins 28[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 4"][/TD] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 4"][/TD] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 4"][/TD] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200"]Leeds Form[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200"]Middlesbrough Form[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="width: 620, align: center"] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: left"]W 2 - 1 Accrington[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: right"]Oldham 0 - 3 W[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Last Game[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #880000, align: left"]L 2 - 0 Millwall[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: right"]Birmingham 2 - 0 W[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]0 - 0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: left"]W 2 - 0 Dundee United[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #880000, align: right"]Villareal 0 - 2 L[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Draw[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: left"]W 0 - 5 Glenavon[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: right"]Hartlepool 0 - 2 W[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]22/02/14 - Riverside[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: left"]W 1 - 2 Swindon Town[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: right"]Rochdale 1 - 3 W[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="width: 620, align: center"] [TR] [TD="width: 305"]Team News[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 305"]Damned's Starting XI[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: left"]Leeds please log in to view this image Steve Morison (Doubtful) please log in to view this image Aidy White (Injured) please log in to view this image Lewis Walters (Injured) please log in to view this image Gaetano Berardi (Suspended) New signings Bellusci, Cooper and Sharp should all come into the squad, with returns for some of those rested midweek also likely. Middlesbrough please log in to view this image Ben Gibson (Doubtful) Karanka is still trying to sign Chelsea youngster Patrick Bamford, though time is running out ahead of this fixture. New signing Damia Abella is likely to be included, as is ex-Leeds Woodgate who is returning from injury.[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 320"] please log in to view this image (still haven't had a chance to make up new numbered shirt backs yet!)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 305, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Bookies Favourite Middlesbrough Win 13/10 (Correct on 15/08/14)[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 320"]The Damned Prediction 2 - 2 Draw Middlesbrough are on form and our defence is still gelling, but I think we'll get a couple of goals as well.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 305, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 305"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, align: left"]Key Stats There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Leeds's last 4 home games in Championship. Middlesbrough have won their last 3 matches in Championship. Middlesbrough have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches in Championship. [/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="align: left"]Leeds were given a wakeup call midweek about how damaging it can be to switch off, which very nearly cost them a 2 goal lead. Much more determination and concentration will be needed here. Middlesbrough are playing well, and this game will be a good indicator of our squad quality against someone who is likely to be up there at the end of the season. I haven't included Agard as the deal isn't done as I'm typing this, so I think sticking with a 4-3-3 is most likely. Bellusci into the back 4 alongside Pearce, with Taylor retaining the LB role. A front 3 of Ajose, Doukara, and Sharp could cause the Boro defence some issues.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, colspan: 3"]Have Your Say Does Hock know his strongest XI? Do you know better? Who would you start, and where will Hunt be? Poll: The Match Day Thread Poll will become a regular feature this season. I'm thinking of some sort of points system for correct predictions, but that will start from next week so just enter this one for fun! Poll closes at LUNCHTIME tomorrow[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
Ive opted for a narrow defeat but only cos i feel our squad haven't had time to gel. In a couple of weeks time I expect to be predicting wins in all home games and quite a few away ones. New away jersey ordered this morning with Cellino 1 on the back
It'll be close, but maybe Sharp will announce himself to the ER faithful with an injury time winner. Leeds to win 2-1
Excellent thread, FIRST CLASS!!! I love that starting eleven, with the option of Smith coming on with 20 minutes left to work the Boro defenders (especially Woodgate) and create holes for Sharp ... if we are level on 70 minutes I think we will sneak it ... HOWEVER ... I am not sure Hock will see his starting lineup the same way, in his team Warnock will start and Hunt will be involved unless Cellino says no (or he comes up lame today in training) ... I do though have a real feeling that Cellino is going to start babysitting Hock after the Millwall debacle, and this will mean Cellino's eleven will start so expect to see Durham's eleven being the real deal if Cellino butts in now ... of course Cellino may well sit back and give Hock one more game to do his own thing before banishing him to bib washing in the future
Cheers, and great shout on the Jersey! It's too hard to sack me now! I'm IN!!!!! <evil laugh> I was in a rush this morning because a) it's already a day late, and b) one of the sites I get stats from decided not to do them for Championship this week so had to trawl the web for them Cheers Billy, and I'm afraid I think you are right about the Hock XI. Basically, I think Cellino should just give me the job Cheers Josh, I'd like to think you're right that we will nick it. Depends how well the new boys slot in I guess
Fantastic match thread once again Such a hard one to call, it all depends on who Hockaday picks, I believe we have the players to win this one but will they start or feature? If your predicted starting 11 actually do start then I can see us sneaking this one, if they don't or if Hunt features then it will be a disaster.
Heart over head, 2-0 to the Whites. DU, super thread again, greatly appreciated. Shame about Belusci, at least he's not injured and the Boro strikers might actually get a couple of hours sleep tonight. MOT.
Cheers Davy.......I know, I swore I wouldn't drink before Sat, but the MOT got me a few tins, thought it a bit rude not to drink them. Taxi at 4.15am.. Even my pisshead sons are in bed...feck it anyway...
looking forward to it m8ty i will book the lifecheshirewhite hospitality suite again it puts his credibility ratings up
