Leeds United are back in action on Tuesday night against Middlesbrough but the pressure is at an all-time high on The Whites to get back to winning ways when they go to The Riverside.
Just one win in six games and three consecutive draws have seen Daniel Farke’s men go from five clear at the top of the Championship table, to third and two points behind leaders Burnley ahead of Tuesday.
It makes the trip to Middlesbrough a must-win game. Leeds actually faced Middlesbrough on Teesside in similar circumstances last season, with Patrick Bamford explaining how Farke masterminded a 4-3 win.
That proved to be Leeds’ last win of the season in 2023-24, before the play-offs. The Whites will surely take another 4-3 win tonight, if it guarantees a win – but Darren Bent thinks Farke will feel the pressure.
Darren Bent says what Daniel Farke will be feeling right now
Neil Warnock once summarised the Championship by saying it is the draws that kill you in the search for automatic promotion. But Leeds still have a very strong chance of finishing in the top two positions.
Gary Lineker said Sheffield United and Burnley playing on April 21 hands Leeds a “favour”. Leeds will take any favours they can get now, with Bent telling TalkSPORT (April 7, 6.40PM) what Farke will be feeling.
“I wouldn’t say they’re falling apart, but I would’ve expected to beat Luton. It’s massive. But it’s funny, when you’re in that scenario, fighting for automatic promotion, it is a different level of pressure.
“Farke must be thinking, ‘oh no not again’. I expected them to beat Luton, beat Swansea, beat QPR, they lost to Portsmouth. You should be beating these teams. [Boro] is huge. If they don’t go up, he’s gone.”
Leeds United injury news ahead of Middlesbrough clash tonight
Ethan Ampadu, Max Wober and Patrick Bamford are all fit again after the trio all played against Luton on Saturday. The latter two came off the bench while Ampadu lasted the entire 90 minutes in Bedfordshire.
However, there are issues. Farke confirmed Joe Rothwell is scheduled to only play the last two games for Leeds against Bristol City and Plymouth. Pascal Struijk will definitely miss the next two matches.
If a fracture is found, Struijk will miss the rest of the season. All eyes will one Farke’s team selection with LeedsUnited.News predicting two changes – Ilia Gruev and Brenden Aaronson for Struijk and Rothwell.
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