Middlesbrough play host to Leeds United in the Championship on Saturday.
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford addressed the media today, ahead of his side’s clash with Middlesbrough at the Riverside tomorrow, and shared what he has heard about Tony Pulis’s side when speaking to friends that he made when he was on Teesside, as quoted by LUTV.
The 25-year-old joined the Whites from Boro in the summer of 2018, for a fee believed to be worth somewhere in the region of £7 million, but injuries have hampered his first season in west Yorkshire.
Bamford has played just nine games in all competitions for Leeds, with only two of those being starts, and he has scored three goals for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
The striker will be hoping to play a key role for his side between now and the end of the season, now that he is back from injury, and Middlesbrough away will be a great chance for him to get back into the swing of things.
Boro currently sit in fifth spot in the table, seven points adrift of Leeds, although they do have a game in hand over Bielsa’s men, so Saturday’s game will be vitally important.
The two sides have such contrasting styles, and it should be a really intriguing watch.
Bamford spoke to reporters today, and highlighted how differently both team approach the game, as quoted by Leeds Live:
“From what I’ve heard, obviously I stay in touch with a lot of friends I made up there, they have played quite defensive this year, against our style which is extremely attacking. They play a more direct style, and we play more tiki-taka, kind of possession based, quick flowing attacking football.”
Leeds will head into the game as slight favourites, but it will be interesting to see whether they can cope with Middlesbrough’s physicality and direct playing style.
After the Norwich defeat, Bielsa’s side cannot afford to lose again, and Pulis will be desperate to put one over one of the most respected coaches in world football.
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