Middlesbrough beat Rochdale in midweek to advance to the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Tony Pulis’s Middlesbrough side remain unbeaten in both Championship and Carabao Cup so far this term, but face their toughest task of the season when they face promotion rivals Leeds United on Friday night.
The Boro overcame Rochdale earlier in the week to advance to the third round of the League Cup, but attentions soon return back to an important Championship campaign with a mouth-watering clash.
Pulis made ten changes to the side that beat West Brom 1-0 last week in the game against Rochdale at the Riverside, with the 58-year-old clearly having one eye on Friday’s game against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Key men Britt Assombalonga and Martin Braithwaite were both rested, while summer signing Paddy McNair filled in at central defence with a brilliant display.
Jordan Hugill made his first start with the side he longed to play for and made a big impact, grabbing the second goal just after the interval.
The Teesiders will be without two injured players for their trip to Elland Road, with forwards Harry Chapman and Rudy Gestede unlikely to feature through injury.
Daniel Ayala, who netted the winning goal last week against Pulis’s former side, played 45 minutes on Tuesday evening before being taken off, and the 27-year-old may not feature on Friday night.
Below is how we think Middlesbrough could line up on Friday night against Leeds, with ten changes made from their victorious Carabao Cup winning side of midweek.
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