Daniel Farke’s Whites were unable to kick-start the new Championship season with a win at Elland Road on Saturday when visiting Portsmouth ended in a 3-3 draw despite a dominant display from the hosts.
Nevertheless, Leeds remain favorites for promotion to the Championship and a breakthrough first competitive win of the new season is now expected in tonight’s Carabao Cup visit to division rivals Middlesbrough.
Boro, who opened the new Championship season with a 1-0 win against Swansea City, are expected to firmly establish themselves as Leeds’ key rivals in the race for automatic promotion.
Michael Carrick’s side are now 11-1 third overall favorites for the title behind 3-1 market leaders Leeds and 9-2 second favorites Burnley, whose price was almost halved after Monday’s 4-1 defeat at Luton Town.
Tonight’s cup clash represents an early clash between two teams who could be fighting for automatic promotion, with Leeds firm favorites to progress inside 90 minutes.
Farke’s Whites are as short as 1-2 with some company and no bigger than 3-5 to win in regular time, while Boro can be backed at 11-2.
The draw, which in the absence of extra time would involve a penalty shootout, is available at 17-5, Leeds just 13-2 to win from the spot and Boro 7s.
But the bookmakers believe the game will be over inside 90 minutes, with Leeds just under 1-3 to qualify with 4-11 shots to progress, while Boro are 10-3.
Against his former team, Whites No.9 Patrick Bamford almost leads the first goalscorer market at 5-1 alongside Joel Piroe, a pair just ahead of Mateo Joseph at 11-2. Emmanuel Latte Lath is rated as Boro’s main threat but remains a hefty 10-1 to score first.