Leeds United are preparing for the biggest game of our Championship season against Middlesbrough on Monday in the race to finish in the top two and secure an instant return to the Premier League.
Leeds come into the game having suffered two losses in the last three, picking up only a point. A 0-0 draw interjects two defeats to Coventry City and then Blackburn. Boro meanwhile, are in superb form.
Unbeaten in the last nine Championship games, Michael Carrick’s men have won five times and drawn four. Their last two results have been draws, but the latter of those two was against Ipswich Town.
A game that saw a reunion between Carrick and Kieran McKenna, and Luke Ayling lay on his fifth assist for Boro.The on-loan Leeds star remains confident that Leeds will go up, speaking at the Leeds awards.
What Lee Sharpe said about Leeds facing Middlesbrough tonight
Leeds sit in third place at the moment, having watched Leicester beat Carlos Corberan’s West Brom on Saturday. It strengthens their position at the top of the table. Leicester are on 91 points from 43 games.
Ipswich were not in action over the weekend, with Coventry playing in the FA Cup semi-finals. One result did go our way, with Cardiff beating Southampton in the last few minutes – ending their top-two hopes.
A win tonight at The Riverside would see Leeds climb into second, but only a point above Ipswich who will have a game in hand. But with clubs dropping points regularly, Leeds have to take advantage tonight.
Lee Sharpe is hoping for a Leeds win, telling TalkSPORT this morning (9.14AM, 22/04): “Yeah, huge game tonight. I will be watching that. I am hoping it’s Leeds, obviously. I think the Premier League needs Leeds.
“I think Leeds need to be in there. I think It’s an unbelievable club, and fingers crossed, they can pull out a result tonight and get through this, what is renowned as a twitchy bum time,” Sharpe continued.
Ally McCoist made a promotion claim about Leeds United today
The Rangers legend has previously said that he thinks Leeds will finish in the top two with Leicester. But, today – also on TalkSPORT – he said that it will be between Ipswich and Leeds to finish with Leicester.
“It looks at this stage as though might be Leicester and one other. You would go for Ipswich or Leeds. I am officially ruling Southampton out now. It will be between Ipswich and Leeds for the other position.”
Tonight, Leeds will be without Connor Roberts who is fighting to be fit for the final game of the season against Southampton. But, Boro will be without Ayling and Sam Greenwood – both on loan from Leeds.