Leeds vs Middlesbrough prediction, betting tips and odds: Boro may have enough in reserve
Free EFL Cup first round tips, best bets and predictions for Leeds vs Middlesbrough. Plus a £50 Betfair free bet offer

Exclusive new customer sign up offers

FREE BETS

FREE BETS
Where to watch Leeds vs Middlesbrough
You can watch Leeds vs Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup first round at 8pm on Wednesday, August 14th, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Match prediction & best bet
Middlesbrough to qualify
1pt 31-10 Betfair, Paddy Power

Get £50 In Free Bets When You Place £10
- Free bets with Betfair's Rewards Club
You can bet on Leeds vs Middlesbrough and get £50 in free bets with Betfair
Leeds vs Middlesbrough odds
Leeds 4-7
Middlesbrough 5-1
Draw 16-5
Odds correct at time of publishing
Leeds vs Middlesbrough predictions
Middlesbrough were EFL Cup semi-finalists last term – losing out 6-2 on aggregate to Chelsea – and they can pass a tough opening test in this season's competition by knocking out Championship rivals Leeds at Elland Road.
League matches will be the priority for both teams, who are among the fancied runners in the second-tier promotion race.
And they each have Saturday lunchtime matches to consider with Leeds taking on West Brom at the Hawthorns and Boro in action at newly-promoted Derby.
Team selections will almost certainly be made with the weekend in mind so changes are likely from the opening weekend and, in a clash of second strings, there is a reasonable chance of the visitors gaining the upper hand.
Leeds started the season with a 3-3 draw at home to Portsmouth and were spared a worse outcome by substitute Brendan Aaronson, who popped up with a 95th-minute equaliser.
It was a largely dominant performance from Daniel Farke's side, who won the shot count 22 to five, but they had too many sloppy moments in defence and ended up with a result which fell below expectations.
Middlesbrough made a positive start with Emmanuel Latte Lath's 25th-minute penalty securing a well-deserved 1-0 triumph at home to Swansea and they will be hoping to kick on and secure the early-season platform which eluded them in 2023-24.
Michael Carrick's side were winless in their opening seven league games last season and their opening two victories of the campaign came in the EFL Cup with successes away to Huddersfield (3-2) and Bolton (3-1).
They ended up eighth, which was a reasonable effort considering their slow start and the distraction of their run to the EFL Cup's final four.
However, there is expectation of improvement after a summer of squad strengthening which has included the recruitment of former Leeds defender Luke Ayling.
Leeds's summer has been more unsettling with former first-team regulars Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Glen Kamara among the players to depart.
Farke still has a first eleven which would be the envy of most Championship managers but there are areas of the squad which could do with strengthening and a lack of depth may contribute to an early EFL Cup exit.
Key stat
Middlesbrough have lost only one of their last 13 matches
Leeds vs Middlesbrough team news
Leeds
Widespread changes could be made including the introduction of attackers Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford, who should make their first starts of the season.
Middlesbrough
Rotation seems likely, affording new signings Micah Hamilton and Delano Burgzorg opportunities to make their first starts for the club.
Probable teams
Leeds (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Byram, Rodon, Wober, Struijk; Crew, Rothwell; Aaronson, Piroe, Gelhardt; Bamford.
Subs: Meslier, Gruev, James, Gnonto, Joseph, Rutter, Ampadu, Firpo, Bogle.
Middlesbrough (4-1-3-2): Glover; Dijksteel, Lenihan, Clarke, Ayling; Barlaser; Gilbert, Howson, Hamilton; Coburn, Burgzorg.
Subs: Van den Berg, Engel, McGree, Azaz, Morris, Hackney, Jones, Latte Lath, McCormick.
Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post
Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.
Published on inEFL Cup
Last updated
- Newcastle overturn 4-1 odds to end 70-year domestic trophy curse with EFL Cup triumph
- Sky Bet betting offer: get 60-1 on Mo Salah to have a shot on target in Liverpool vs Newcastle
- EFL Cup final odds boost: get 50-1 on Mo Salah to score or assist with Paddy Power
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup final player prop tips and predictions: England new boy Burn looks a leading card candidate
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup Bet Builder tips and predictions plus get 50-1 with Paddy Power for Salah to score or assist
- Grand National 2025 each way and free bets: compare bookmaker extra places offers + get £665 in free bets for today's big race
- How to bet on the Grand National 2025: step-by-step guide for beginners with top offers
- Hewick Grand National odds, profile + get a £5 Paddy Power free bet
- bet365 Grand National betting offer: claim £30 in free bets
- Grand National grey horses: tips & odds + get 6 each way places with Sky Bet
- Newcastle overturn 4-1 odds to end 70-year domestic trophy curse with EFL Cup triumph
- Sky Bet betting offer: get 60-1 on Mo Salah to have a shot on target in Liverpool vs Newcastle
- EFL Cup final odds boost: get 50-1 on Mo Salah to score or assist with Paddy Power
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup final player prop tips and predictions: England new boy Burn looks a leading card candidate
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup Bet Builder tips and predictions plus get 50-1 with Paddy Power for Salah to score or assist
- Grand National 2025 each way and free bets: compare bookmaker extra places offers + get £665 in free bets for today's big race
- How to bet on the Grand National 2025: step-by-step guide for beginners with top offers
- Hewick Grand National odds, profile + get a £5 Paddy Power free bet
- bet365 Grand National betting offer: claim £30 in free bets
- Grand National grey horses: tips & odds + get 6 each way places with Sky Bet