This season, as things stand, Boro are twenty-five points behind their Yorkshire rivals, just three points above the relegation zone. Club legend Jonathan Woodgate, in his first managerial role, has been under fire since the outset, and despite a brief upturn in form, the club are on the brink of a relegation scrap coming into the final stages of the season.

As for Leeds, Marcelo Bielsa's men have weathered the storm to come out of tricky spell four points clear of third place Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.

Pressure is constantly on the West Yorkshire outfit, not only with previous honours looming large over their heads, but a reputation of 'falling apart' in the latter stages of a campaign has become a source of enjoyment for Championship neutrals.

The reverse fixture between these sides saw a 4-0 thrashing for Leeds, the same outcome this time around will see the Whites potentially move seven points clear of third place.

However, a Boro win and they could leapfrog three teams in the table up to eighteenth.

Current Form

After a run of four straight victories in eleven days, the home side are on an abysmal run, with their last win coming away to Preston North End on New Years Day.

Since then, Boro have drawn four and lost four.

Last time out Woodgate's side were defeated 1-0 by now bottom of the League Barnsley. Previously, they lost 1-0 to Luton Town, who are currently second bottom in the table.

With defeats against their relegation rivals, it now seems inevitable Boro will be dragged into a relegation battle in the latter stages of the season.

Leeds are looking for a third straight win on Wednesday, having saw off both Bristol City and Reading 1-0 at Elland Road.

The Whites look to be back on form having endured a spell of just two wins in eleven games. However, despite their run of poor form, Leeds managed to remain inside the top two and are looking to expand the gap to third yet again.

Team News

Middlesbrough remain without centre back Daniel Ayala who has been absent since their victory against Preston on the opening day of 2020.

Patrick Roberts and Dael Fry are also side-lined through injury.

Leeds fans were given reason to worry last time out as Kalvin Phillips was substituted through injury in the 37th minute, yet Marcelo Bielsa has suggested Phillips will be fit for the midweek clash.

Likewise, Kiko Casilla suffered a hand injury in the first half against Reading, yet Bielsa stated the Spanish shot-stopper will retain his place in goal. 

What to Expect

With Boro averaging roughly 47% possession this season, you can expect the away side to dictate the play. Leeds average 60%, more than anyone else in the division, and favour dominating proceedings rather than allowing their opposition possession.

Leeds also convert this into chances. No side in the division has more shots per game than Leeds, who average seventeen. Boro on the other hand manage just twelve.

With Brentford conceding two against Luton in midweek, Leeds again have the best defence in the division conceding just thirty goals in thirty-four games.

Whilst all signs point to another dominant Leeds display, Boro fans will be hoping for a classic championship affair in which the underdog picks up all three points.

Key Men

Without a standout player this season, the key man for Middlesbrough against Leeds will be 'keeper Aysnely Pears.

Pears will have to be in top form to keep out a Leeds onslaught and will be hoping to add to his seven clean sheets to his name this season. The twenty-one-year-old averages a total of three saves per game, which puts him inside the top ten 'keepers this season.

Hoping to put one past Pears will be former Boro man Patrick Bamford. The striker has twelve goals this season and enjoys a love hate relationship with the Leeds fans.

Overall, many believe his tally should be much more, yet his work rate and pressing has won over fans. Last time against his old club the twenty-six-year-old opened the scoring, he will be hoping to do the same on Wednesday in order to repair the damage from when he scored a hat-trick against his current club back in Boro colours.