Middlesbrough clinched their first win of the 2019-20 Championship season earlier this week with a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the Riverside Stadium.
Boro have picked 4 points from their first 4 league outings and will host Millwall on their home turf on Saturday in Matchweek 5 of the Championship and looking to gather momentum.
Middlesbrough Team News
Dael Fry has recovered from a knee issue and is a part of the Boro squad but he might not be rushed back into the starting eleven just yet. Hayden Coulsen is still absent while George Friend has been rated as ”touch and go”.
Predicted Middlesbrough Lineup To Face Millwall (4-3-3)
Defence
Darren Randolph is Middlesbrough’s first-choice custodian and is set to start between the sticks once again. He bagged his first clean sheet of the season against the Latics and will be full of confidence at the moment.
Summer signing Anfernee Dijksteel has been far from convincing ever since his arrival from Charlton Athletic. Owing to his poor form, Jonathan Howson should continue at right-back after a superb display in the midweek fixture.
Marc Bola could get the nod to start at left-back. Although his crossing has been questionable at times, he looked assured at the back against Wigan Athletic and will look to make a significant impact this weekend.
Daniel Ayala and Ryan Shotton are likely to start in central defence. Ayala has been decent at the back, having mustered 1.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 7 clearances per game on an average so far from his 4 league outings.
Midfield
Adam Clayton is likely to start in deep midfield and will shield the backline. However, he has to improve on his distribution as that is one area he has been found wanting at times.
Paddy McNair and Lewis Wing could complete the three-man midfield setup of Woodgate’s side. McNair and Wing have to get forward on a regular basis and must also create adequate openings for their offensive teammates.
Attack
After Marcus Browne’s poor display against Paul Cook’s troops, Marvin Johnson could get the nod to start on the left-wing. On the other flank, Ashley Fletcher could be chalked once again to inject his offensive prowess in the final third.
Britt Assombalonga’s strike in the first half enabled Middlesbrough to clinch all three points against Wigan Athletic. The 26-year-old has scored 2 goals in 4 league games so far and will look to add more to his tally.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
