Former Middlesbrough & England defender Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live at the Riverside Stadium

"It's not really a shock. Leeds are in very good form themselves, but the goalkeeper has to take all the responsibility for that. Tomas Mejias made an awful decision to throw the ball out."

Leeds take a dream start. Tomas Mejias is in the Boro goal because of Dimi Konstantopoulos being banned and he throws the ball out straight to a Leeds player. The ball is played out to the right and cut back for Alex Mowatt, whose shot goes in via a deflection.

Former Middlesbrough & England defender Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live at the Riverside Stadium

"Aitor Karanka has done an exceptional job at Middlesbrough. When he came here there were one or two questions asked. Who was he, what sort of style does he play, but he has transformed this club. They've been playing some fantastic football, while bringing through young players and it is great to see. It's a fantastic stadium here, almost full today, Boro are very well supported. But of course Leeds are on a decent run themselves."

The sun's out, the Riverside is packed and the fans are buzzing. Let's hope the game lives up to the atmosphere.

It's under way at a sunny Riverside.

Leeds manager Neil Redfearn: "It is a tough test for us but we have proved on our day we can get results against top teams.

"We have to make it difficult for them but when we get the chance to play we have to play."

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka: "It's a good opportunity [being top] but I don't want to put pressure on my players. They know how difficult it has been to get into the position we are in and it is going to be very difficult to stay there.

"If we want to stay top we have to win these type of games."

Let's get straight into team news. Leeds boss Neil Redfearn names the same side that beat Millwall last time out, with the only change being the return of centre-back Liam Cooper to the bench.

Middlesbrough played an hour with 10-men in a midweek draw at Birmingham and manager Aitor Karanka makes six changes from that side. Keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos was the man sent off in that game and he is replaced by Tomas Mejias, while striker Patrick Bamford drops to the bench and is replaced by Kike.

Leeds XI: Silvestri, Wootton, Bamba, Bellusci, C Taylor, Byram, Austin, Murphy, Cook, Mowatt, Morison.

Middlesbrough XI: Mejias, Nsue, Kalas, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Adomah, Reach, Vossen, Kike.

The Riverside is soaked in sunshine and looks such a glorious sight it makes you want to put your boots on and round up a few mates for a kickabout. I'll stick to keeping you updated on the match for the time-being though.

Leeds were in a bit of relegation bother but four wins out of the last five league games have moved them mid-table. They are now eight points above the drop and manager Neil Redfearn is slowly but surely turning the sleeping giants fortunes around.

Will they show their recent revival is laid on firm foundations or will the game at Boro prove a reality check?

Image source, Getty Images

As title races go, the top of the Championship is turning into a belter. The top five teams are separated by just four points and a revolving door of clubs have taken turns to be top.

The current leaders are Middlesbrough and Aitor Karanka's men face a test of nerve today when they host an in-form Leeds side. So, can they stay at the Championship summit? Let's find out.

Image source, EPA