Preview: Middlesbrough vs Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Middlesbrough and Millwall square off on Good Friday with the ambition of ending the day in second position in the Championship table.

Although these teams sit in second and fourth place respectively, there is just a two-point gap between them, with Ipswich Town sandwiched in the middle.

Match preview

Prior to facing leaders Coventry City on February 16, Middlesbrough were showing the kind of form which suggested that they could push the Sky Blues all the way.

Instead, Kim Hellberg's side have recorded just two wins from eight games, leaving Boro nine points adrift of Coventry with seven matches remaining.

With Millwall and Ipswich both to come over the next four games, Hellberg's focus will have switched to finishing second, but he will have concerns over his team's lack of goals.

Despite scoring seven times in back-to-back away successes at Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough have netted just three times in their last five games at the Riverside Stadium, while they were also held to a goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers in their most recent outing.

However, it should be highlighted that Hellberg's side have conceded just four times in seven outings, albeit that is a statistic that may only increase frustration at the North-East outfit.

© Imago / IMAGO / Focus Images

There is an argument that this is Middlesbrough's most important match of the season to date, a consequence of Millwall hanging around as contenders for automatic promotion.

Six victories from seven games have kept the pressure on the teams above them, yet the surprise 2-1 defeat to Blackburn prevented them from moving into second spot.

Nevertheless, positives will have been taken from the 1-1 draw that they earned at Ipswich before the international break, Alex Neil's team being unfortunate not to earn all three points during the closing stages.

Although Millwall are currently in fourth place, this is their last fixture against a team currently sitting in the top 11 of the standings.

When they also make the long trip to Middlesbrough on a five-game unbeaten streak on their travels, Neil knows that there is an opportunity for the East Londoners to break new ground over the coming weeks.

Middlesbrough Championship form:

Millwall Championship form:

Team News

© Imago / Action Plus

Hellberg could make a number of changes with midfield duo Aidan Morris and Riley McGree both facing long-haul flights after representing United States and Australia.

Alan Browne, Tommy Conway and David Strelec will also have to be assessed. Hellberg will be eager to have Hayden Hackney return from a calf injury to feature in midfield.

Morgan Whittaker will also have to be assessed after missing the Blackburn game.

Barring no fresh injury issues, Millwall could line up with the same XI from the trip to Ipswich.

Tommy Watson and Mihailo Ivanovic have both been on international duty, which makes it likely that they will remain on the substitutes' bench at best.

Barry Bannan is an alternative in midfield if Neil wishes to bring a different look to his team.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Brynn; Ayling, Fry, Malanda; Brittain, Hackney, Morris, Targett; Castledine, Sarmiento; Conway

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Crama, Taylor, Cooper, Sturge; Cundle, Mitchell; Azeez, Langstaff, Neghli; Coburn

We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Millwall

Both clubs are in the position where they cannot afford many more dropped points if they want to secure automatic promotion. However, especially in Middlesbrough's case, there is an argument that a share of the spoils would be a positive result here, and we can see a low-scoring draw being played out.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.