Six games stand between Leeds United’s push for promotion and the end of the season with Daniel Farke’s men now sitting in third place behind Sheffield United and Burnley.
Just one win in six games and three draws in a row have seen Leeds go from five points clear after wins over Sheffield United and Sunderland, to third place and two points behind new leaders Burnley.
The pressure is enormous on Leeds at the moment, especially with Daniel Farke saying he is convinced Leeds will be playing Premier League football next season. Whether that is automatically, or via play-offs.
Leeds clocked up 90 points last season and with 82 on the board currently, Farke will need his side to go past that figure if The Whites are to finish in the top two, with Burnley already on a huge total of 84.
Michael Carrick praises Daniel Farke’s work since joining Leeds
Michael Carrick is set to be without six players at least on Tuesday night, with Dael Fry, Neto Borges and George Edmundson all doubts – the Boro boss has his work cut out despite winning five of the last seven.
Luke Ayling will definitely be missing, but Carrick confirms that Fry is back in training after rehab. In his press conference on Monday, Carrick praised Leeds’ points total under Farke over the last two years.
“We’re fully expecting their best version, we know what they’re capable of. They’ve accumulated an incredible enough points over the last two season. We’ll expect that and be ready for that,” Carrick said.
Michael Carrick comments on Leeds United’s poor recent form
Now one of the Championship’s longest-serving managers, Carrick was asked if Boro can use the pressure on Leeds at the moment to his side’s advantage. But he was clever enough to not comment on it much.
“It’s a difficult league, you can have bad results but not much is wrong. Not really [can’t use Leeds pressure], it’s not something we focus on. We concentrate on trying to get ahead, but that’s not for us.”
Leeds will take confident from Farke’s record against Boro, winning eight of his 10 career matches against Carrick’s side. However, Joe Rothwell and possibly Pascal Struijk will be missing from Tuesday’s outing.
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