COMMENT

Leeds United will be hoping that they can use last weekend's win over Brentford as a springboard ahead of their clash with Middlesbrough on Friday night in what promises to be a tasty clash.

The Whites will travel to the Riverside Stadium off the back off their first victory of 2018, with Liam Cooper's header sinking the Bees and ending a 10 game winless run which stretched back to Boxing Day, and ultimately saw Thomas Christiansen axed as manager.

Now, sitting in 11th but just five points off the top six, new boss Paul Heckingbottom and his men have the chance to go level with Friday's opponents in eighth, knowing defeat would be a hammer blow to their hopes of finishing among the play off places come the end of the season.

So what can the Leeds fans expect to see if their side's game is not called off by the freezing conditions?

Here, Football Insider picks out three things to watch out for, including a surprise that Paul Heckingbottom may well make to his side.

Click below to find out the first thing to expect from the clash v Boro...

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A clash too close to call

Fans expecting goals galore at the Riverside might be disappointed, with the two sides looking very evenly matched heading into the clash.

Boro fans were witness to the heartbreak a thrilling tie can deliver last weekend, with an injury time equaliser from Sunderland resulting in a 3-3 draw between the north east rivals.

Manager Tony Pulis, renowned for his organisation and discipline in his sides, will not have been too pleased with what he saw, and will have been drilling his side to be compact and difficult to break down.

The same can be expected from Heckingbottom, who will be hoping that a resolute defence can be the platform on which to secure results; as was the case last weekend.

Click below to find out the second thing to expect from the clash v Boro...

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The return of Forshaw

It was somewhat ironic that one of Leeds' best players, and without a doubt the best signing in January, was missing for their first win of the new year, but that was how it went.

Forshaw was left out of the squad after his wife had gone into labour, but is now back and ready to return to the squad, and it should be expected that he will head straight back into the starting XI against his former side.

The 26-year-old will be dying to prove Boro wrong for letting him leave and he will be fired up for the clash, which is exactly what Leeds will want from their midfield maestro.

Click below to find out the third thing to expect from the clash v Boro...

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Heckingbottom's starting XI surprise

The old cliche says that you should not change a winning team, but supporters should expect Heckingbottom to throw the football manual in the bin and spring a surprise with his line up on Friday.

As mentioned, Forshaw will likely be one change for either Eunan O'Kane or Kalvin Phillips in the centre of the park, but the likes of Vurnon Anita and Stuart Dallas could also see themselves dropping out of the side in favour of other options.

Middlesbrough will pose a different threat to the Whites than the Bees did at Elland Road, and it is up to the manager to figure out a side he feels can compete both physically and tactically.

Who will he pick? Fans will have to wait and see.

In other Leeds United news,

David Prutton has delivered his prediction for the clash after a "huge blow" last weekend.