BORO v Leeds United
Riverside Stadium
20h00, Tuesday 8th April 2025
SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT and SKY SPORTS FOOTBALL
|
|
Played |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
POS'n |
|
Leeds United |
40 |
23 |
13 |
4 |
79 |
28 |
82 |
3rd |
|
BORO |
40 |
19 |
9 |
14 |
61 |
49 |
60 |
5th |
Well. My word. Here we are. Who would have put money on this 6 weeks ago? With only 6 matches left to contest and Middlesbrough are entertaining Leeds United in a game that just might define the outcome of the regular season for either or both clubs.
A glance at the relative league standings (see above) might suggest that there is a gulf between these teams. Despite there is only two places difference between Leeds in 3rd and Boro in 5th. There is a massive 22 point advantage that Leeds enjoy over us and an immensely superior goal difference of 51 to ours, of 12. The sane man would surely take a look at these stats and conclude that the Boro could be in for a torrid and humiliating 90 minutes against their Yorkshire rivals in front of the Sky Sports Main Event cameras.
But wait a moment. The league table itself is the true reflection of the season so far, over the 40 games each team has competed in so far. However, if you take a look at the form table over the last 6 games, you get a completely different picture.
|
|
Played |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
POS'n |
|
BORO |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
3 |
13 |
3rd |
|
Leeds United |
6 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
13th |
Now it looks very much that it is Leeds United that might be the team to be humiliated on national TV. Certainly until February, Leeds we looking sure favourites for automatic promotion and genuine contenders to be league champions. Boro, on the other hand, at that time were in beginning to sink into mid-table anonymity with many voices decrying the damage done to the squad in the January transfer window. But look now, only Burnley and Sheffield United have a better recent record than us, marginally in the Blades case with them having scored one more goal than us, but having conceded one more than us.
I seems to be the same every season. You get to the last 10 or 12 games and at least one team that has disappointed for much of the season, finds its form and gate crashes the end of season party. I am well aware that this is the Boro and it would be absolutely typical for us to keep getting the results that keep ius in the frame, only to finish as unlucky losers in 7th place. Lets just park that concern for now. Afterall, the most important thing at the moment is that we are taking on Leeds at a time when the pressure is really on them and we have a brilliant opportunity to confirm our re-emergence as play-off contenders is justified.
So what has happened to Leeds United. A glance at their chat boards (well, someone has to do it, no matter how distasteful an experience) shows many Leeds supporters think that their young team simply isn’t up to dealing with the pressure and they are bottling it, as many observe, like last season. A lot of grumbling that they simply do not convert the chances their possession creates, although I struggle to square that with the number of goals they have scored already this season, Also a lot of complaints about the way Farke really only knows how to play one way and doesn’t adapt to play to sui the way the opposition sets up. Substitutions always too late and then bringing on defenders when they need invigorating up front. I mention these as all of it sounds remarkably familiar. Perhaps it is a lesson we could all learn is that in all reality, our team and manager and tactics and game management look the same to us as other teams fans see their own teams.
One thing that might be relevant for us on Tuesday is that many of the Leeds support consider they perform much better against the t teams, that try to play football, rather than aggressive route 1 and high pressing. The back handed compliment for Boro in all this is that Leeds fans consider we are in that “better” class of footballing sides and so they actually fancy their chances on Tuesday night. Certainly they consider it a must win game.
Amid calls for Bamford to be in the starting line up on Tuesday are reminders that the last time he started a game against Boro, they lost 3 goals to 0 in the Carabao Cup. So that result still rankles.
What about Boro then? We have certainly started to get the results that were eluding us earlier in the season. I really don’t want to predict that this is us on a genuine run of all-beating form that is going to see us safely over the line by May and ending up as the team to beat in the play-offs. I still have all those anxieties that over 55 years of following Boro brings. I do believe that while many of us were worried a couple of months ago that there was something going on behind the scenes to rock the boat, there really does appear to be a great team spirit in the camp now. Whatever has changed, I am delighted to see that everyone on the pitch now appears committed to the cause. Very different from January and February when I was bemoaning the lack of spirit and conviction.
Things at last are beginning to feel positive and I am taking that positivity into my Tuesday evening. I believe we will beat Leeds in this Yorkshire Derby and cement our place in the top six.
CoB, lets be having them.
Nice one and in fact a really good headliner Powmill and a nod to Norwich too in the final and closing line.
Will we beat them though? Typically it depends which 'typical Boro' turn up...
ATB everyone
UTB,
John
@Powmill-Naemore "I still have all those anxieties that over 55 years of following Boro brings." You wrote over 55 years. I am close behind as my brother remembers me starting to support Boro in 1970. So this year is my 55th anniversary year as a Boro fan.
I think we can afford to lose one game in the next six matches if we will win the others and draw one. As we have done in the near past (see our form above in the intro). But I hope we won't be beaten tomorrow.
This is an interesting match as we might get Leeds, Sunderland or either Sheffield United or Burnley in the playoffs. I am not saying we will be there, but if we make the playoffs, there is a top three team to play. The Leeds game is hence a gauge for us - can we really compete against the top teams if needed.
I think we would have been quite strong, if we had kept Latte Lath and Doak would be fit. We still have a good team, but not quite as strong as in November, for example. I wouldn't write us off but it will be tough.
But let's see the match tomorrow first. We do NOT need to worry too much about May yet. I will go for a boring 0-0 draw now, when the two normally high scoring clubs will meet. It will be nervous for both set of fans.
Up the Boro!
PS. Thanks for especially good starter there, Powmill. Appreciated.
Thanks for a really good and very encouraging starter, Powmill. You’re quite right - just a few weeks ago, most of us would have had this down as a guaranteed away win. Now, I think there’s a pretty even chance of us beating them.
Leeds will be fired up, no doubt, but they’ll be under pressure to turn their form round, too, as you say. I’m confident that if Boro show the same spirit and steel we showed at Blackburn we can get something from this game.
I look forward to an exciting 90+ minutes of high drama, blood and thunder in what should be a cracking atmosphere!
@Powmill - Great starter piece. We are now at the "business end" of the season. Can Boro do the business? The thing is that, in these games, teams have to be on the front foot and "up for it", and I expect Boro to meet that requirement tomorrow evening.
Qualifying for the Play-Offs is now a real possibility whereas that would have seemed a silly thing to say a month or more ago. And if you are in the Play-Offs anything is possible. But you've got to get there first. Let's hope the lads do their stuff tomorrow! #UTB.
Great stuff Powmill - it’s fantastic to feel the optimism on this forum - maybe it’s linked to the Spring sunshine!
I think we’d all take a draw tomorrow night, but if we win, it’ll give the team, the fans and the whole town a boost for the final push to the season’s end.
We can all dare to dream…
@Jarkko - I'm not sure how many away tickets Sheff Wed has offered Boro but my mate (who will organise things) says it will be at least Thursday before tickets are available to us so it depends how many tickets are taken by those who have the maximum number of points. He is "on it" and will keep me informed.
I guess if Boro should be promoted "one day" then the number of people wanting to travel away will increase massively for that season at least. "This might be my one and only chance of getting to watch the Boro at Chelsea, Brighton..." and all that.
(Only 2,420 tickets made available by Sheffield Wednesday. Unlike Blackburn with 4,000. There are 6,400 supporters with 170+ points).
As we have come to expect of you, Powmill, a well written, intelligent and balanced assessment of tomorrow's big game. it should be a cracker.
The fixture list did us a big favour in giving Leeds such a predictably bruising battle at Luton only two days ago. There were a number of walking wounded on both sides by the end of that encounter and I suspect that to be reflected in both the Leeds' team selection and their ability to keep going at the end of what should be another no holds barred game. Given that one of Leeds' strengths this season has been scoring vital goals in the last ten minutes of the game (as well as being flying starters) they might find that more difficult this time round. So Boro's newly found style of defending aggressively from the front and chasing down every ball will be just what is needed for this one.
My major concern is that their star turn, Dan James, will be up against our very inexperienced left back. James was our nemesis at Elland Road with all three of their goals coming from his crosses, so that remains an obvious point of danger. If we can keep him quiet by cutting off his supply and/or doubling up on him I will go for a win with some confidence. 2-0 to the Boro.
Thanks again Powmill for such an enjoyable and thoughtful piece
Powmill- Naemore: thank you for a very realistic opener, this game could go either way but for both teams it will not be season defining, at least it is at home.
Leeds aside, I have heard an unsubstantiated rumour that Doak will be fit to play in 2 weeks, whether he will be back at Boro is another consideration.
Come on BORO.
Many thanks for the opener, Powmill. 
MC on the importance of Jonny Howson, even when he's playing out of position:
@forever-dormo Yes, I noticed they have given info of the away tickets. https://www.mfc.co.uk/tickets/away-tickets/
Let's see if your your friend can arrange two tickets. And it does not matter where we sit as long as we get any tickets for the away end. If not, we can plan something else to do.
Thanks for keeping us in mind. Up the Borol
@OFB What is the lounge where Jim Platt is usually present as a host? Plese see the few options in the attachment.
Up the Boro!
Brilliant Headliner Powmill, certainly one to lift the spirits of the believers. 🤣
Unfortunately the realistic side of me, still says we will miss out on the play offs. Annoying when you look at the points thrown away.
I guess most teams around us could say that.
However, the atmosphere should be great at kick off time, with I assume a crowd nearing 30K.
Can the real Boro turn up and do it from the start. Can Mr Howson get through 2 games in less than a week?
Sadly it looks as though I may miss watching the game. Hopefully I may get it on the radio.
With 6 games to go there are no easy matches and the only certainty is that there will be a few ups and downs. They have already started.
Tomorrows game will be tough and so I’ll settle now for a draw which would not be the end of the world given that 2 of the top 6 play one another and so points will be shared.
The plus side of a draw would mean it’s another game without losing. I’m wondering if Boro’s recent good results has a lot to do with playing an unchanged team which I’d go for again but it probably can’t happen with Borges injury.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍👋🤗
Big game coming up , the first ten , fifteen will be vital they'll be at it right away, containing their wide men will be important.
I'm not knocking recent results, but I do have a concern on the number of chances we allow the opposition .
I'd take a draw now, Leeds are good, forget recent results for them, they should have won most of them, missing lots of scoring chances
COB
Another informative and upbeat opener, thank you Powmill.
It would be nice if we could at least keep the unbeaten run going until the end of the season but it will be tough and none other than tonight’s game.
Our Achilles heel might be the one you have pointed out, we try to play football which Leeds will like; it is a shame that we can’t adapt to play like Luton for one game as it may work to our advantage.
Our unbeaten run has not been perfect and we have tended to play “patchy” football at times; if we present Leeds with opportunities similar to Oxford and Luton then I fear the worst but am keeping everything crossed that we are more disciplined and organised.
I hope there is a good atmosphere at the Riverside and the crowd are behind the team from the off and the team respond accordingly, as it could make all the difference.
CoB these are the nights we look forward to. 😎
Hi
it used to be the Fenton Lounge but I believe it’s now the Legends now but I may be wrong. Best check with the club as I’m not an executive member now !
OFB
@Jarkko - I think I might have been too pessimistic with the number of supporters who qualify for the various points tiers. The website says:
180+ points 2,400 supporters
170+ points 4,000 supporters
160+ points 7,700 supporters
150+ points 12,500 supporters
140+ points 17,000 supporters
70+ points 22,000 supporters...
So I NOW guess that the number given for each tier is inclusive of the people already counted in higher tiers. In other words 2,400 have 180+ points (some of them will go to all games home & away and have a massive total of points) and another 1,600 have 170+ points giving a cumulative total of 4,000. If it were otherwise, and you added up the figures given for each tier, there'd be 26,600 in the first four tiers alone (almost quivalent to people holding season tickets for the last two year, approximately, and clearly that is a lot more than the number of season tickets held) and 43,600 for the top 5 tiers which is a lot more than the ground holds.
I guess that many in the 180+ points tier will want tickets (because it is in the Easter holiday period, after all) but not all, and some in the 170+ tier, so there might be a few left by the time it gets down to 160+ points. We'll give it a go with fingers crossed at 12 noon on Thursday.
Jarkko
I will ask Sharon Jim’s wife which lounge he hosts now
Cheers
OFB
Powmill
Many thanks for an informative and interesting preview which I enjoyed reading. Sorry for the delayed response but not too good at present. I won’t be going tonight but will cheer the Boro on from home. Thank goodness all these games are on Tv these days.
Marton Oracle says
Boro 2 Leeds 1
OFB
@original-fat-bob - Get better soon, Bob. And if your predicted score proves correct, then I guess that will encourage a swift recovery. I'd be delighted with 2-1 and will go for that score as well.
I hope you feel better soon, very soon, and that score will do me too. I'll say nothing more for fear of putting a hex on the squad.
ATB,
UTB,
John
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments on my opener for this Leeds United thread. A special shout to @original-fat-bob. I hope your recovery stays on track. You did mention after the Oxford game that you probably wouldn't try venturing forth for evening kick offs. Lets hope you will be fully match fit for an evening home-leg in the playoffs on May 8th or May 9th.
A match against Leeds United always has a little something extra in our family. Several of my nephews and nieces and/or their partners are Leeds supporters. I hasten to add this is not necessarily their fault as life took me mam and dad as well as several of my brothers and sisters to live in the Leeds catchment area, so it was kind of inevitable some of the offspring would go astray. So, never mind keeping hold of 5th place in the league, tonight is all about the bragging rights on our family WhatsApp group!
It has been a while since I have looked forward to watching a game so much this season and I still have that belief that tonight we will see the best of Boro and come away with all three points. The Marton Oracle's 2-1 would be perfect, though any score line with Boro scoring most will do.
CoB.
No need, mate. Take care and look after yourself now. I bought tickets for Plymouth match at Middlehaven Lounge as the seats were in the North West Upper.Jarkko
I will ask Sharon Jim’s wife which lounge he hosts now
Cheers
OFB
I am now abroad for a couple of days, so I bought the tickets before departing.
For the Norwich match I have two normal tickets. But I do not understand yet how to use them. Might be we cannot get to the match as I did not understand how they are linked to my monile's wallet. They said it is easier to use digital tickets, but not for me. Perhaps once you learn how to do that for the first time, it is easier in the next trip. But now it looks like a nightmare compared to the old PDF tickets.
I have spent a few hours without success - more next weekend to understand how to enter a match. But at least I have two tickets and the club has the money. The tricky part is to get to the ground ...
Up the Boro!
@original-fat-bob. Sorry to here you are not feeling well at the moment. Best wishes and hope things improve soon. A win to night would be a good tonic. 😎
According to CJ, Dael Fry is back in the match squad.
Still non-stop on my projects (getting there) so many thanks Powmill for positively enthusiastic opener that has got me thinking that another three points may be coming our way.
I also checked out the Leeds comments on the BBC report after they drew with Luton and many weren't confident of getting a result at Boro - though many were saying that teams have sussed them out and just need to play a high press to stop them playing - hopefully Carrick had worked that out too!
So looking forward to the game and hoping to see Boro playing with the same intensity they started at Blackburn!
The starting XI - one change - RvdB in for the injured Neto Borges; Fry on the bench:
I would've been tempted to play Whittaker instead of Azaz as he's looked below par in recent weeks and switched Burgzorg back to the left where he's performed better.
@stircrazy Look at that bench! Fry, Whittaker, McGree and Forss in there. Looks like we are improving towards the end. Mind, I rate McGree as our best player. Up the Boro!