Free football betting tips for the Sky Bet Championship clash between Middlesbrough and Leeds United
Tom Carnduff backs Leeds striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga to net in his preview of Friday night's trip to Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship.
Middlesbrough v Leeds United recommended bets
1pt Pierre-Michel Lasogga to score anytime in Middlesbrough v Leeds at 13/4
1pt Over 2.5 goals in Middlesbrough v Leeds at 63/50
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Middlesbrough v Leeds United (1945 GMT, Sky Bet Championship)
It’s a clash between two of the Sky Bet Championship’s play-off hopefuls on Friday night as Middlesbrough host Leeds United at the Riverside.
Both sides sit outside of the top six and are a part of an eight-team chasing pack who are looking to secure a spot in the play-off places come the end of the season.
Victory for Middlesbrough would see them move into sixth on goal difference ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, whilst a win for visiting Leeds will put them to within three points of the play-offs.
Leeds got their first win of Paul Heckingbottom’s reign at the club, and their first victory of 2018, when they beat Brentford 1-0 thanks to Liam Cooper’s header last time out.
The Whites secured victory despite absences. Midfielder Adam Forshaw missed the game due to the birth of his child and the Leeds boss praised his side for reacting positively despite figures missing.
“I knew (Forshaw’s) wife was going into labour so I didn’t do the team on Friday,” Heckingbottom said, “we worked with all the midfielders and we were checking on a lot of players because we knew some were going to be doubtful.
“Its common sense getting the information across and everybody’s been doing the same training, the same work. Everybody’s been learning their positions and what we want from them.”
On the whole, Heckingbottom’s start at the club has been positive, with Leeds losing only one of their four games under his guidance.
Historically, the riverside has been a happy hunting ground for Leeds, losing just twice on their last 14 visits. They’ve won five and drawn the other seven. A win would also give Leeds their second double over Middlesbrough in three seasons.
For the hosts, they dropped points in the dying seconds last weekend as Callum McManaman’s late effort ensured neither side left empty-handed in a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Sunderland.
Despite Adama Traore being shown a straight red card in that game, the club saw their appeal successfully overturn the decision and he is free for selection on Friday night.
Tony Pulis’ side have won their last two games at home, beating relegation candidates Hull City and Reading in recent weeks.
Leeds have failed to secure victory on the road since the 2-1 win over Burton Albion on Boxing Day. Two goals in quick succession helped the Whites to come from behind to earn the points on that day.
They were denied by a late Kasey Palmer strike last time they were on their travels after substitute Gjanni Alioski had given them the lead against Derby County.
Despite a tough start to 2018, Alioski looks a rejuvenated character under Heckingbottom’s leadership and showed his early season form during the clash at Pride Park. The Macedonian winger is as big as 14/1 to open the scoring on Friday night.
Alioski scored in the first fixture between these two sides at Elland Road. Pablo Hernandez grabbed the other goal and despite Middlesbrough being awarded a controversial penalty, Leeds finished with the three points in a 2-1 victory.
For Boro, Patrick Bamford has hit good form in recent weeks and has three goals in his last two Championship appearances, including a brace in the 3-3 draw with Sunderland last time out.
The 24-year-old can be found at 11/2 to open the scoring against the Whites and put his side on the front foot.
Leeds themselves have a striker in good form, with loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga finding the net in recent games.
The 26-year-old is spending the season in West Yorkshire from Hamburg and has ten league goals this season, despite a spell on the sideline with injury. He’s struck five times in his last seven outings, leading to calls for a permanent deal by some sections of the Elland Road faithful.
Lasogga is as big as 8/1 to strike first at the Riverside, with odds of 16/5 available that he strikes at any point during the 90 minutes.
Leeds know that they need to start winning if they are to carry out a minor miracle and reach the top six whereas for Middlesbrough, play-offs was the absolute minimum at the beginning of the season and victory can propel them back into the right part of the table.
The hosts can be found at 10/11 for the victory, with the draw around the 12/5 mark whilst odds of a huge 21/5 are available for Leeds to get the win.
Despite it being an uphill battle for Heckingbottom’s side, I’m backing Lasogga to find the net again and continue his recent good form in front of goal. Whilst over 2.5 goals is also available at 23/20, two of the last three games between these sides has had at least three goals in it.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Leeds (Sky Bet's odds: 16/1)
Posted at 1730 GMT on 01/03/18.