Leeds United vs Middlesbrough. Sky Bet Championship.
Elland RoadAttendance33,771.
Sunday 19 November 2017 12:23, UK
Leeds striker Caleb Ekuban is expected to return to contention for the home game against Middlesbrough after a three-month injury lay-off, live on Sky Sports Football.
Ekuban, a summer signing from Chievo, has been sidelined since August due to a foot injury sustained in his second appearance for the club. Winger Stuart Dallas is likely to recover from a minor problem he suffered while on international duty for Northern Ireland and head coach Thomas Christiansen is expected to choose from a fully-fit squad.
Middlesbrough will be without defender Cyrus Christie for the contest. The Republic of Ireland international serves a one-game ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in his club's last outing, the 1-0 win over Sunderland on November 5.
It is unlikely that Rudy Gestede, who has been sidelined by a thigh problem, will make a return to action against Leeds. The match will see Boro boss Garry Monk return to the club he quit in May.
Leeds are unbeaten in their last four league matches against Middlesbrough at Elland Road (W3 D1), with their last meeting a goalless draw in February 2016.
Middlesbrough have failed to score in four of their last five league games against the Whites, winning 3-0 in the other match at the Riverside.
Only Birmingham (22) have attempted fewer shots on target than Leeds (28) in home Championship games this season.
This will be Garry Monk's first return to Elland Road since leaving Leeds at the end of last season; Monk won 14 of his 23 league matches at Elland Road last season (D4 L5).
Kalvin Phillips has scored five goals from six shots on target in the league this season.
Middlesbrough haven't won any of their last eight away second tier matches played on Sunday (D3 L5), failing to score in seven of those games since a 2-1 win in February 1998 against Stoke.
Who would have thought a month or so ago that Middlesbrough would go to Elland Road ahead of Leeds in the table? It shows you how quickly things can change in the Sky Bet Championship.
Leeds looked superb earlier in the season but things have gone badly wrong for Thomas Christiansen and his side, and all of a sudden this game on Sunday is a big, big occasion for them. That being said, I think Boro are in good form and will get all three points.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 with Britt Assombalonga to score first (28/1 with Sky Bet)
