MX23RW : Friday, December 13 12:17:42| >> :120:19089:19089:
[monks data]
Middlesbrough logo
Championship
Mar 3, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Millwall logo

3-0

Bamford (26'), Kike (30'), Vossen (78')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Millwall

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Championship clash between Middlesbrough and Millwall.

Middlesbrough have the opportunity to return to their best form against Championship strugglers Millwall at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday evening.

One win in four games has raised concerns about the strength of Middlesbrough's promotion bid, and they produced another below-par performance in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Aitor Karanka was quick to admit that his side's performance in the loss was "awful", and he has challenged the squad to produce a swift response when they return to action in front of their home supporters.

Despite that disappointing defeat, Middlesbrough remain in the second automatic promotion spot, two points behind leaders Derby County, but with just five points separating the Rams and Ipswich Town in sixth, Karanka will be fully aware that the pressure is on his team to get back to their best.

The hosts will be coming up against a Millwall side lacking in confidence after they lost 2-1 in a vital match with relegation rivals Rotherham United on the weekend.

Ian Holloway's men are now six points adrift of safety, and could see their hopes of survival quickly disappear if they fail to pick up a result against either Middlesbrough or Norwich City next Saturday.

It's a tough ask for a side that have not won any of their last four games, and Millwall fans will also be haunted of the memories of a 5-1 thrashing they suffered at the hands of Karanka's team in December.

Holloway could be tempted into a change in attack as the experienced Ricardo Fuller looks to claim a spot in the starting lineup for the trip to the Riverside.

Grant Leadbitter and Lee Tomlin are both expected to be handed recalls by Karanka, while Patrick Bamford is likely to keep his place up front.

Middlesbrough:

Form in Championship: WWDLWL
Form in all competitions: WLDLWL

Possible starting lineup: Konstantopoulos, Friend, Kalas, Gibson, Husband, Leadbitter, Tomlin, Clayton, Forshaw, Bamford, Kike

Millwall:

Form in Championship: LWLDLL

Possible starting lineup: Forde, Abdou, Harding, Hooivled, Dunne, Williams, Tonge, Woolford, Fabbrini, Fuller, Gregory

Sports Mole says: 2-0


ID:208714: cacheID:208714:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4710:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford scores the equaliser during the Sky Bet Championship match against Birmingham City on February 18, 2015
Read Next:
Ten-man Middlesbrough go top with draw
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!