Leeds in worrying Middlesbrough prediction amid ‘biggest’ claim – ‘Oh man!’
Leeds United are in tricky waters after falling out of the automatic promotion spots in the wake of their 1-1 draw with Luton Town on Saturday.
Daniel Farke’s side are on an abysmal run of form, which has seen them win just one of their last six Championship games, resulting in them dropping to third place in the table.
Having drawn three games on the bounce, Leeds will look to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday, 8 April.
The Whites risk having to participate in the playoffs, as they did without success last season, if they do not shake off their rut in the coming days.
Leeds woes to continue v Middlesbrough
Leeds looked destined to earn promotion to the Premier League as the Championship winners not so long ago, but are now in ‘El Colapso’ territory, as Benjamin Bloom suggested ahead of their trip to Luton.
Looking ahead to the game at Riverside, Bloom expressed his excitement for the encounter and set the stage for Sam Parkin to shed light on the Whites’ recent struggles.
“On TV, Middlesbrough v Leeds. One win in six, what are they doing, Sam?”, Bloom said on his YouTube channel (8 April).
Meanwhile, Parkin reflected Leeds’ situation, taking a deep breath before expressing his concern for Farke and Co. in the final stretch of the season.
The former Championship ace pointed out how the Elland Road outfit do not have a reliable source of goals in their squad, pointing out how Joel Piroe has scored just once in his last eight league games.
Parkin does not see a chance that Leeds get back to winning ways against Middlesbrough, and thus predicted that the game will end in a 2-2 draw, with midfielders finding the back of the net for the West Yorkshire outfit.
“Oh man! I felt these were two really tricky games that needed a decent return just to get that feeling back and a little bit of confidence, a little bit of rhythm”, Parkin said.
“I don’t think they are going to get it here, I don’t think they are going to get it here.
“I just looked at some of the numbers, they are still scoring goals obviously, but just think in the 10 and at No. 9 at the moment, there is a lack of options really.
“I know you can play Gnonto in there or Ramazani or whatever and change the look of it a little bit, but I just think there’s a lack of goals.
“Piroe has got in one in eight, I think, now… one in seven. Joseph… I mean, Bamford came on the other day, didn’t he, and had the opportunity at Luton.
“They are obviously the ones in the top three despite Sheffield United’s defeat and have the biggest uncertainty about and that’s understandable, given last year as well.
“2-2 to contradict myself. Leeds, two on the road, 2-2. Goals from midfield.”
Farke under immense pressure at Elland Road
Leeds’ current situation will have brought ghosts of the past back to Elland Road.
The Whites failed to earn automatic promotion despite being in a good position to do so and went on to lose to Southampton in the playoff final.
| Team | Matches | Win | Draw | Losses | Goal Difference | Points | Form |
| 3. Leeds | 40 | 23 | 13 | 4 | 51 | 82 | LWDDD |
| 5. Middlesbrough | 40 | 17 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 60 | LWDWW |
That is why the Elland Road outfit will want to avoid participating in the playoffs at any cost this season.
It remains to be seen if Leeds can prove Parkin wrong and walk out of the Riverside Stadium with all three points.