Middlesbrough and Tottenham’s Ryan Fredericks matches up closely to opposing right-back at Leeds Scott Wootton.
Leeds United’s trip to Middlesbrough could be one of the most closely contested Championship clashes of the weekend.
Middlesbrough visit Elland Road sitting at the top of the table, but face a Leeds side that has lost only one league game in 2015, revitalised in part due to the young core of players in their squad.
No key area illustrates the margins between the two teams as the performances this season of the two players expected to line-up at right-back for the two sides.
Scott Wootton has surprisingly made the position his own at Leeds in recent weeks, afforded the opportunity after first choice full-back Sam Byram was moved forward to play on the wing.
Opponent Ryan Fredericks is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and has performed well for Middlesbrough when he has been fit.
| Team | Passing Accuracy | Tackles Accuracy | Won Header Duels | % Passes Are Forward | Crossing Accuracy | Appearances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Fredericks | Middlesbrough | 72% | 71% | 50% | 47% | 30% | 13 |
| Scott Wootton | Rotherham / Leeds | 67% | 71% | 55% | 51% | 23% | 15 |
Wootton, who was on loan at Rotherham United earlier in the season, wins exactly the same percentage of his tackles as Fredericks with 71 per cent each.
The Middlesbrough defender record a better passing accuracy and crossing accuracy, but Wootton wins a higher percentage of his aerial duels and plays a higher number of his passes forwards.
In each case any margins are narrow, with the highest gap between the pair’s displays being seven per cent.
The two are very evenly matched and heading into the game it is impossible to say one has an advantage in terms of form. If each can keep up their dependable performances and high tackle success rates, it will be difficult for opponents to get the better of them.
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