It just doesn’t get any easier for Leeds United. On Tuesday night they head to Middlesbrough and defeat here could spell meltdown.
Leeds United make a hasty return to Championship action following on from their 1-1 draw at Luton Town last time out.
Daniel Farke is a man under huge pressure after one win in six, and after Farke said Leeds United would 100% be promoted this season in a statement that looks more foolish by the game.
Sheffield United lost 1-0 at Oxford United last weekend to take some heat off the Whites. Leeds United though now sit in 3rd place of the Championship table and two points behind leaders Burnley with six games to go.
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are in 5th place of the table and looking to wrap up a play-off place after a run of one defeat in seven, with five wins, has lifted them into the top six after a patchy spell of form.
- READ MORE: Leeds United’s official post may have just hinted £31m duo are set to start vs Middlesbrough
Sam Parkin rues Joel Piroe form in Middlesbrough vs Leeds United prediction
Speaking on the Championship Check In, Sam Parkin has spoken about the game between Middlesbrough and Leeds United and like many others might do too, Parkin has predicted Leeds’ struggles to rumble on. Parkin thinks Middlesbrough and Leeds will finish 2-2, highlighting the poor recent form of £10.5million striker Joel Piroe in the process.
“They’re still scoring goals obviously, but I just think, in the 10 and at no.9 at the moment, there’s a lack of options really,” said Parkin. “I know you could play Gnonto in there or Ramazani or whatever, and change the look of it a little bit.
“But I just think there’s a bit of a lack of goals, Piroe’s got one in eight I think now… They’re obviously the ones in the top three, despite Sheffield United’s defeat, that there’s the biggest uncertainty about, and that’s understandable, given last year as well.”
Will Daniel Farke axe Joel Piroe at Leeds United?
It feels odd to criticise a player who’s scored the second most goals in the Championship this season (15), and who is Leeds’ top scorer in 2024/25. But Piroe simply hasn’t been good enough of late.
Like Parkin says, the 25-year-old has scored just once in his last eight now, and at such a crucial time in the season too when Leeds are desperate for goals, but nobody is stepping up to the plate.
Leeds United fans have voiced concerns about Piroe all season and many want to see him axed against Middlesbrough. But for Who? An equally divisive Mateo Joseph or Patrick Bamford who’s just returned from several months injured?
It’s a tough decision for Farke who could really come under the spotlight after the game at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
