Leeds United desperately need to return to winning ways when they take on Middlesbrough.
Fate is repeating itself for Leeds United, but this time they’re giving up an even more commanding position as they slip into play-off hell.
Daniel Farke’s side went eight points clear at the top of the Championship table in February but are now three points behind leaders Burnley.
Saturday’s dull draw with Luton Town means it’s now just one win in six, with Sheffield United’s shock defeat at Oxford United the only saving grace from the weekend.
Three points are urgently required, though, and that won’t be easy against play-off chasing Middlesbrough.
Here’s everything you need to know about the fixture.

Middlesbrough vs Leeds United kick-off
Leeds United travel up to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, April 8, with kick-off at the Riverside coming at 8 pm.
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How to watch Middlesbrough vs Leeds
Unsurprisingly, given it’s such a massive match in the title and play-off races, Sky Sports has selected Middlesbrough vs Leeds for television coverage.
TV channel
The game will be Sky’s featured match and broadcast on their Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels. Coverage begins at 7:30 pm.
Boro vs Leeds live stream
There will not be a Sky Sports+ live stream of the match but it’s still possible to stream it.
SkyGo is the streaming platform for Sky and, if you are already a customer, you can access the SkyGo app on mobile, tablet and computer devices.
If not, you can purchase a Now TV day membership pass, allowing you to watch all the day’s Sky Sports coverage and stream it on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
A day pass costs £14.99, a flexible monthly membership is £34.99 and a 12-month contract costs £26 a month.
Boro vs Leeds United team news
Leeds have suffered two injury blows over the past week and will be without key duo Pascal Struijk and Joe Rothwell for the game.
Rothwell missed the weekend’s draw with a calf injury that will keep him out of the next two matches, while Struijk was forced off after suffering a knock to his foot.
The defender will definitely miss the next two games but there’s a fear his season could be over.
Farke said ahead of the match: “We still have a training session a few minutes after this press conference, we have one or two question marks. One is Joe Rothwell, calf injury, he will definitely be out this week and probably the easter week.
“If he could come back earlier, it will be a bonus. Realistically, he will be back for the last two games. Pascal Struijk got a knock on his foot, and will be out for this week – there is a fear that he has a little fracture.
“He will definitely be out for the next two games. If he has a fracture, he will be out for the rest of the season. His season would be over for him but we need further assessment before we can confirm that.”
There was some good news as Mateo Joseph is available again. The manager added: “Mateo Joseph is back in training after his illness.”
Patrick Bamford is also pushing to start after making his long-awaited return off the bench against Luton.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 | 40 | 23 | 15 | 2 | 55 | 12 | 43 | 84 | |
| 2 | 40 | 26 | 7 | 7 | 56 | 30 | 26 | 83 | |
| 3 | 40 | 23 | 13 | 4 | 79 | 28 | 51 | 82 | |
| 4 | 40 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 57 | 37 | 20 | 75 | |
| 5 | 40 | 17 | 9 | 14 | 61 | 49 | 12 | 60 | |
| 6 | 40 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 51 | 43 | 8 | 60 | |
| 7 | 40 | 17 | 8 | 15 | 57 | 53 | 4 | 59 | |
| 8 | 40 | 13 | 18 | 9 | 48 | 36 | 12 | 57 | |
| 9 | 40 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 39 | 41 | -2 | 54 | |
| 10 | 40 | 15 | 8 | 17 | 48 | 53 | -5 | 53 |
Referee and officials
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen
- Assistants: Shaun Hudson and Darren Williams
- Fourth official: Ruebyn Ricardo
Prediction
It’s impossible to predict a win for Leeds at the moment. The attack looks tired, blunt and completely out of ideas. Perhaps Bamford can spark some life into things but you wouldn’t bet on it at this stage.
In contrast, Boro have won four of their last six games and are hitting form at the perfect time for a play-off charge. It could be another awful night for the Whites.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-0 Leeds United.
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