Middlesbrough will host Hull City with both teams in search of a playoff spot in the Championship. Both teams enter the match fresh off losses; the visitors are in eighth place. They are only outside the top six on goal differential. The hosts are three points worse off in 12th place.
Preview (Middlesbrough vs Hull City)
Middlesbrough, who has already fallen behind after two losses. They will be looking to go back to winning ways when they visit Riverside Stadium on Wednesday. The Teeside team recovered from a dismal start to the season under Michael Carrick. They soon established themselves at the top of the division. From late September to the end of November, they won eight of their 11 games. It included a 4-0 hammering of Preston North End, which increased their total to 27 points. Isaiah Jones scored a brace in addition to goals from Rav van den Berg and Alex Bangura.
That put Carrick’s team just outside the top six, but in their two subsequent attempts—albeit in two extremely challenging games—they have failed to add more points to their playoff hopes. First, they lost 3-2 away at Leeds United, where they had to play the last 30 minutes of the match with 10 men after Emmanuel Latte Lath’s brace had kept them in the game. The most recent team to visit Riverside Stadium this weekend was second-placed Ipswich Town.
Given how close the middle of the division is right now, Middlesbrough has dropped quickly to 12th place. Nevertheless, with three points separating them from the playoff spots, Middlesbrough will be eager to stop the current losing streak and get back to winning ways at home on Wednesday. They will also be hoping to tie their opponents and close the gap to the top six once more. Standing in their way is Hull City, who, after a strong start to the season under Liam Rosenior. They are also looking to recover from a dismal brace of performances and bolster their playoff bid.
Team News
Due to their extensive injury list, Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough team is once again expected to be without midfielders Lewis O’Brien, Riley McGree, and Hayden Hackney, striker Marcus Forss, and defenders Darragh Lenihan, Paddy McNair, and Tommy Smith on Wednesday. They will, however, be strengthened by the return of two players: Isaiah Jones and Anfernee Dijksteel. They are both eligible again after serving their suspensions over the weekend. Both might start the game in right-wing and right-back positions.
Dan Barlaser and Jonathon Howson should continue to play together in midfield with key player Hackney absent along with O’Brien and McGree. Jones, Sam Greenwood, Matt Crooks, Samuel Silvera, and Alex Bangura will all vie to be in a supporting trio behind lone striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. Hull City’s injury problems have improved recently, in contrast to their hosts. However, Rosenior will not be able to rely upon defender Ruben Vinagre and winger Dogun Sinik as they are still limited to the treatment room. Additionally, important center-back Alfie Jones was not available for this weekend’s match.
Liam Delap, who has five league goals this season, should continue to lead the line in their 4-2-3-1 formation. Jaden Philogene, on the other hand, has been their standout left winger thus far, with six goals and five assists in 14 Championship games. Adama Traore will challenge Aaron Connolly for the starting spot on the opposite flank. Despite competition from Ryan Slater and Ozan Tufan, Jean-Michael Seri and Tyler Morton should start. If Jones is not cleared to play again in time for the trip to Riverside. Jacob Greaves and Sean McLoughlin will undoubtedly form the core of the back four.
Middlesbrough 1 – 1 Hull City
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