Leeds United head into Saturday’s clash with Middlesbrough knowing they could extend their winning streak to five if they take all three points.

United currently sit five points clear of third place Fulham, and will be hoping to extend that lead and overtake West Bromwich Albion at the top.

Middlesbrough haven’t won away all season and are the league’s joint-lowest goalscorers with just 16 goals in 18 games.

Manager Marcelo Bielsa will be forced into at least one change after Tyler Roberts was withdraw on Tuesday night against Reading.

Here we take a look at three potential selection dilemmas that could give Marcelo Bielsa a headache this weekend…

Potential changes at the back

Bielsa opted for three centre-halves at Reading, playing at times what seemed to be a 3-3-3-1 formation.

With Leeds back at home and Middlesbrough likely to set-up in a more rigid shape, Bielsa could be tempted to switch to a back four, utilising the pace of Stuart Dallas and Ezgjan Alioski as full-backs.

This could potential mean Luke Ayling being dropped in place of Alioski, and Dallas shifting over to the right.

Bielsa likes to keep a winning team but he may have the fact Leeds are strong favourites at home, and consider changing his back-line.

Who replaces Roberts?

Helder Costa replaced Roberts at the Madejski on Tuesday and could be the natural choice to get the nod again on Saturday.

Although Costa got the assist on Tuesday evening, Middlesbrough will sit a lot tighter than Reading did and therefore provide Costa with less space to run into.

Ezgjan Alioski could be the next replacement on Bielsa’s mind; the Macedonian possesess energy and grit that would go a long way in helping breakdown Middlesbrough.

He could, as mentioned above, even come back into defence, but should Bielsa stick by his defence, he could opt to play the 27-year-old further forward.

Risk Liam Cooper for 90 minutes or start Berardi?

Liam Cooper is no doubt Bielsa’s first choice centre-back alongside Ben White this term and the defender completed a full 90 minutes against Reading on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old was a second-half substitute in the win away to Luton at the weekend and with a recent groin problem, Bielsa may opt to start Berardi ahead of Cooper.

Given Boro’s woes in front of goal, Bielsa could opt for the Swiss and keep Cooper fresh for the two consecutive Yorkshire derbies when the Whites face Huddersfield Town and Hull City in the space of four days.