Middlesbrough host promotion chasing Leeds United at Riverside Stadium in a pivotal Championship clash.
Victory or a draw would see Boro move up to eighth but a win of three goals or more would put them seventh and six points off the last play-off spot, whilst Leeds can go second with a win.
Team News
Paddy McNair could return for Middlesbrough following his recovery from a hamstring injury which had sidelined him since his return from international duty.
Goalkeeper, Tom Glover however is ruled out after he needed surgery on a finger injury.
Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith (both Achilles), Dael Fry (pelvis), Josh Coburn (groin), Riley McGree (foot) and Marcus Forss (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Leeds will be without defender, Connor Roberts after he suffered a recurrence of his recent muscle injury.
Pascal Struijk (groin) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Boro host Leeds at Riverside Stadium on Monday 22 April at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won one of their last eight league meetings against Leeds (W1, D3, L4).
- Leeds have won two of their last seven visits to Middlesbrough (W2, D2, L3).
- Boro have never lost four consecutive matches against Leeds.
- Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough have kept clean sheets in their last three home matches (W2, D1).
- Ethan Ampadu has been yellow carded in two of Leeds’ last three away matches.
Prediction
Unbeaten in nine matches and having held Ipswich last time out, Middlesbrough do seem to be building solid momentum for next season because they have been clinical yet defensively organised which has frustrated their opposition.
Leeds though were served a taster in their home defeat to Blackburn last time out because for their dominance, they just couldn’t break down the opposing defence, which could well fire them up because they can’t afford any repeat here with no games in hand on their promotion rivals.
Daniel Farke’s Whites also are winless in their last three games which isn’t ideal when coming up against an in-form team like Boro, who can believe that a point is possible if they play like they are currently and Leeds again lack their usual attacking edge.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Leeds
Result: Middlesbrough 3-4 Leeds