Leeds United vs Middlesbrough predictions, odds and betting tips

The EFL Cup gets under way this week with Leeds United playing host to Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

Leeds United vs Middlesbrough odds

Find the latest match odds for Leeds United vs Middlesbrough EFL Cup match. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

⚡Quick Manchester United vs Manchester City betting tips

Leeds United vs Middlesbrough predictions

Had you asked every Leeds United fan who attended Saturday’s game against Portsmouth for their objective this season, you would be able to count on one hand those who even mentioned the EFL Cup.

Having suffered a painful defeat in the play-off final in 2023/24, the goal for Leeds this term is simple: win promotion to the Premier League.

They are the bookmakers’ favourites to do just that. If Daniel Farke’s side succeed, no one will care how they performed in the EFL Cup. Championship teams have to fulfil 46 fixtures in a marathon-like season, so there will even be Leeds supporters who would not mind at all if their team dropped out of this competition in the first round.

That view will not be shared by Farke, who likely believes the EFL Cup could perform two important functions for his side.

The first is to build momentum for the promotion push. You cannot turn form on and off like a tap. Winning games is an addictive feeling, no matter the tournament.

Given that Leeds were held to a 3-3 draw by Portsmouth at the weekend, they could with a victory here in order to lift the mood at Elland Road ahead of two potentially tricky away games at West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.

The second benefit of the EFL Cup is that it gives Farke an opportunity to hand minutes to fringe members of his squad. Leeds’ first-choice XI will evolve as the campaign goes on. On Wednesday he can take a look at some of the players who missed out on a starting role at the weekend and potentially gather some valuable information.

Despite their present second-tier status, Leeds are one of the biggest clubs in the country. They would relish a meeting with a top-half Premier League side in the next round, especially at home.

To make that sort of draw a possibility, the Whites must first see off the challenge of Middlesbrough. Needless to say, this is a tougher assignment than they might have hoped for at this stage of the EFL Cup.

1

Leeds United vs Middlesbrough betting tips

Manchester City can avenge their loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final this weekend.

Leeds United to win by one goal – 5/2 (Midnite)

Middlesbrough also have ambitions of promotion this season, albeit without as much pressure on their shoulders as Leeds.

They got their Championship campaign off to a winning start at the weekend, edging out Swansea City 1-0 courtesy of an Emmanuel Latte Lath penalty midway through the first half.

Like Farke, Boro boss Michael Carrick is unlikely to name his strongest possible XI for this game, even though a victory at Elland Road would be a statement of intent, even in the EFL Cup.

Middlesbrough lost both matches to Leeds last term, going down 3-2 at Elland Road and 4-3 at the Riverside Stadium.

Both those defeats were by a one-goal margin and we anticipate a similarly slender reverse on Wednesday night. If both managers shuffle their packs, Leeds should have a little too much quality for Boro.

⚽ Back Leeds United to win by one goal at 5/2 with Midnite ⚽

Over 3.5 goals – 11/8 (Midnite)

You may notice something else from those two results from last season: goals were not exactly in short supply.

We saw more of the same from Leeds last time out, as they shared the goals equally with Portsmouth in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

There are few reasons to expect a tight and cagey affair in this one, not least because the understudies selected will be determined to make a mark, particularly those in attacking areas.

Another reason to suspect a high-scoring encounter is that neither manager will want this tie to go to extra time. 

Expect both Farke and Carrick to go for it in order to get things done and dusted, one way or another, in 90 minutes.

⚽ Tip over 3.5 goals at 11/8 with Midnite ⚽

First goal 11-20 minutes – 7/2 (Midnite)

Leeds will aim to make a fast start and pin Middlesbrough back from the first whistle, while the visitors will probably be content to get to the quarterway mark without having conceded.

The last time these two teams met, there were two goals scored between the 11th and 20th minutes.

Leeds and Middlesbrough made an even faster start to their previous encounter at Elland Road, with five goals scored in the first half last December.

This match could be an entertaining watch from the first whistle, so this looks like a good value bet. As we learned last season, Leeds and Boro do not hang around when they lock horns.

⚽ Go for the first goal to be scored between the 11th and the 20th minutes at 7/2 with Midnite ⚽

📺 How to watch Leeds United vs Middlesbrough

• Location: Elland Road, Leeds, England.
• Date and time: Wednesday 14th August, 8pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Read more about the 2024/25 football season

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.