Leeds v Middlesbrough: Kike leaving it late among 3 top tips

Two of the Championship’s traditional big-hitters clash at Elland Road when catastrophic Leeds host on-the-mend Middlesbrough.

Aitor Karanka’s visitors claim favourite status at 13/10 ahead of their 21/10 hosts, with the draw 23/10.

A fine spread, we’re sure you’ll agree, but make sure to read our three best bets below before getting involved.

Both teams to score and Middlesbrough to win @ 19/5

Boro boss Karanka’s first game in charge saw his new boys lose 2-1 at Elland Road last November, leaving the visitors in 19th place and Leeds just outside the play-off spots.

By the end of the campaign, Karanka had led his men into 12th, three places above the Whites, whose chaotic change of ownership completely derailed their season.

Massimo Cellino has made an ‘interesting’ appointment in failed former Conference Premier coach Dave Hockaday, and the madcap Italian was rewarded with a 2-0 opening day loss at Millwall.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough saw off Birmingham with ease at home in their first fixture and should be backed to do the same in west Yorkshire.

However, Hockaday’s men put just enough effort into edging past League Two Accrington Stanley 2-1 in the Capital One Cup at home, so they look good for at least one goal.

Kike to score the last goal @ 5/1

The Teesside faithful are letting themselves get the tiniest bit excited about their €3.5 million striker, who fired 23 goals in 43 Segunda Liga appearances for Murcia last term.

Kike has bagged in both of his competitive Boro appearances so far and each strike has closed proceedings. He has to be the pick for more of the same here.

Matthew Smith to score at any time @ 3/1

Last season’s Championship top scorer Ross McCormack, who has been sold to Fulham by Cellino, gobbled up most of Leeds’ goals during 2013/14, but big Matt Smith claimed a handy tally of 12 in 39 second-tier appearances.

He didn’t start at The Den, coming on after 58 minutes to little effect, and failed to get on the scoresheet in 90 minutes during midweek.

Considering Smith managed to find the back of the net just over once in every three all-competition fixtures last term, he’s due a goal.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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