Joel Piroe axed, Bogle decision made – Leeds United confirmed XI v Middlesbrough
Daniel Farke has named Mateo Joseph in his Leeds United starting lineup for the Championship clash with Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
The Whites welcome Middlesbrough to Elland Road [10 December] after goals courtesy of Joe Rodon and Max Wober secured a 2-0 win against Derby Country and the opportunity to move ahead of Sheffield United at the Championship summit.
However, as confirmed via the club’s X account [10 December], Joseph has been selected to start over Joel Piroe for the top-of-the-table clash.
Farke has enforced four changes to his Whites side on Tuesday [10 December], with Sam Byram, Max Wober, Wilfried Gnonto and Joseph returning to the starting lineup.
Mateo Joseph starts for Leeds United v Middlesbrough
Farke has the perfect opportunity to pile the pressure on league leaders Sheffield United with a victory against promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough.
Leeds trail their West Yorkshire rivals by one point heading into the clash but remain the current favourites to lift the Championship title come May.
However, it will be no easy task to thwart Michael Carrick’s men – Boro are proven goalscorers in the second tier, having put a combined 15 goals past Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town and Oxford United and are fresh off a respectable draw earned away to Burnley.
The sides are the joint-second highest goalscorers in the Championship behind Norwich City heading into the clash in what could prove to be a classic shootout at Elland Road.
Therefore, removing Piroe from the side is a wise decision by Farke – the Dutchman has struggled for consistency throughout the season, and Joseph deserves the opportunity to stake a claim for a starting berth moving forward.
Being without injured full-back Jayden Bogle is far from ideal, at a time when Junior Firpo is also out, but Max Wober and Sam Byram have showed they can step up.
In other Leeds news, Illan Meslier to consider a Whites exit amid developments from abroad.
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