Middlesbrough are scheduled to make a trip to Ewood Park tomorrow to face Blackburn Rovers in their next Championship fixture.
The Smoggies will be desperate to grab all three points this weekend after having suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of Sheffield United at the Bramall Lane earlier this week.
Tony Pulis’ side are in the contention to clinch a playoff spot but need to maintain their momentum in the coming months when the fixtures will be coming thick and fast.
Middlesbrough are currently sixth in the league standings, having collected 51 points from 31 games so far, and are 9 points adrift of the second spot.
Middlesbrough Team News
Defenders Aden Flint and Daniel Ayala will not be available for selection this weekend with the former picking up an injury playing against the Blades.
Meanwhile, Ayala was sent off and will serve a one-match suspension. Sam McQueen is still out after his cruciate ligament injury and doesn’t have a return date yet.
Predicted Middlesbrough Lineup vs Blackburn Rovers
Defence
Darren Randolph is expected to keep his place between the sticks. He has been Boro’s undisputed first-choice custodian and will look to grab a clean sheet this time.
A three-man defensive wall comprising of George Friend, Dael Fry and Ryan Shotton is likely to line up in front of Randolph.
After 23 appearances in the Championship this season, Fry averages 1.1 tackles and 4.4 clearances per game and has been resilient at the back more often than not.
Wing-backs
Stewart Downing could be used as a left wing-back, having plied his trade in the aforesaid position after Ayala received his marching orders against Sheffield United.
Jonny Howson could start on the opposite flank. The 30-year-old is a versatile player and will look to add to his tally of 5 assists this campaign.
Midfield
John Obi Mikel’s presence has added a lot of grit and perseverance to the midfield setup of the Riversiders and he is expected to get the nod to start yet again.
George Saville is expected to start alongside him but he will have to improve on his passing and composure on the ball if Boro hope to control the game tomorrow.
Attack
Lewis Wing is expected to get the green light to start from the right-wing while Rajiv van La Parra could start on the other flank.
Pulis might be tempted to use Britt Assombalonga up top this time around. Assombalonga has scored 9 goals in 27 league games this term and will look to enter into the double digits column.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored