2024-25 Carabao Cup: First Round – Leeds vs Middlesbrough

Leeds United host last season’s semi-finalists, Middlesbrough in a mouth-watering First Round tie in 2024-25 Carabao Cup.

Victory would see Leeds progress for a sixth straight season when they had entered at the opening stage.

Boro meanwhile look to avoid a third exit at this stage in four seasons.

 

Team News

Leeds have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 3-3 draw against Portsmouth in the Championship last weekend.

Middlesbrough manager, Michael Carrick will rotate his squad with new signing, Micah Hamilton set for his debut.

Alex Bangura, Tommy Smith (both Achilles) and Marcus Forss (hamstring) are still sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Leeds host Middlesbrough at Elland Road on Wednesday 14 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Leeds’ first EFL Cup meeting against Middlesbrough.
• Middlesbrough are winless in two previous visits to Leeds in all cup competitions (D1, L1), having drawn 4-4 in January 1046 then lost 1-0 in January 1951 in the FA Cup away at Elland Road.
• A combined 12 goals in total were scored in their last two meetings – which came in last season’s Championship, with Leeds scoring seven goals to Boro’s five.
• Leeds conceded first in each of their two matches in this competition last season (W1, D1).
• Boro failed to keep clean sheets in four of their six away matches in last season’s competition.

 

Prediction

Having snatched a scrappy draw against Portsmouth after twice coming from behind, Leeds certainly need to improve defensively because they were just sloppy at times despite their dominant firepower up front.

Boro meanwhile dug in to claim a clinical win over Swansea but will need to be more clinical here, especially as this will be an early test against a likely fellow rival for promotion in the league.

Carrick’s side also will have belief from their cup run to the semi-finals last season but this is a new campaign, which will bring a fresh challenge especially given that they will need to be at their defensive but clinical best to win here.

Either way, this should be a proper battle between two top Championship teams but with Leeds facing a tricky trip to West Brom on Saturday, I can see Boro taking that more of a risk.

Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Middlesbrough

Result: Leeds 0-3 Middlesbrough