credit: Imago and Middlesbrough FC)

Max Wilkins

Mon 7 April 2025 18:13, UK

Leeds United are preparing for a trip to face Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Tuesday.

The Whites have fallen to back-to-back draws in the Championship and, as a result, have dropped to third in the table below Sheffield United and Burnley.

This will pile even further importance on a clash against Michael Carrick’s men on 8 April with three points a huge need for Daniel Farke in the North East.

Ahead of the clash the EFL have made an announcement which could go on to have an impact on the final result at the Riverside.

EFL share referee update for Middlesbrough v Leeds United

There is no doubt that Leeds need to turn things around and get back to winning ways as quickly as possible before it’s too late.

After winning just one in the last five, promotion is beginning to slip away from Farke and Co., just like it did last season before the playoff defeat against Southampton.

The change in form has to start against Boro, and if that is to be the case, it will be under the watchful eye of referee Andrew Kitchen.

The EFL shared an announcement revealing the officials for the clash at the Riverside, which will see Kitchen be joined by Shaun Hudson and Darren Williams as linesmen and Ruebyn Ricardo as fourth official.

The referee has only taken charge of the Whites once, as he officiated as Leeds United drew to Huddersfield in March 2024.

Kitchen gave out one red card as the Whites drew 1-1 thanks to a Patrick Bamford equaliser in the 67th minute at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Leeds United must win v Middlesbrough

It is truly the business end of the season as Leeds have just six games remaining to secure a place in the Premier League for next year.

Farke truly can’t afford to miss out on promotion after already doing so in his first campaign in charge at Elland Road.

The match officials shouldn’t have a bearing on the result at the Riverside as long as the LS11 club put in their best performance and secure a positive result.

It won’t be easy against Middlesbrough, who have been flourishing under Carrick, but the away side should still have enough quality to succeed.