Norwich City will visit Middlesbrough as they look to move into the playoff spots. While the Canaries are currently in seventh place, Boro is currently in 14th place. There will be more worried about getting dragged into a relegation fight.
Preview (Middlesbrough vs. Norwich City)
There was a time when people believed that Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough were a match made in heaven and that the former midfield player would eventually join a larger team. Carrick hasn’t been able to maintain the progress from last season, though, and as a result. Boro is currently a whopping 12 points outside of the playoffs and most likely out of the running for promotion. This calendar year, the team has only managed two victories out of nine Championship games. They have also suffered four straight losses, leaving them just six points above the relegation zone. Even though Middlesbrough just defeated leaders Leicester City 2-1, they have since lost 2-0 to Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City.
Carrick has some important games to negotiate coming up, including matches against Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers. Should he lose any of them, the pressure in the dugout will increase. Carrick must first attempt to overcome a formidable Norwich team, who have only lost once in their last ten league games since the year 2024 began. The Canaries have accumulated 14 points out of a possible 18 after suffering a 1-0 loss against Leeds United. Their most recent success came on Saturday, as they defeated Sunderland 1-0.
David Wagner was relieved that a run of six games without a clean sheet came to an end, even though it took an 81st-minute goal to defeat the Black Cats. Although Norwich has only won four of their last 17 games away from home, they have at least drawn their last two away from Riverside Stadium. Despite this, Norwich has the 18th-best away record in the second division.
Team News
Carrick has a lot to consider when choosing his Middlesbrough starting eleven, and he will likely make a few changes. At right back, Anfernee Dijksteel is a possibility. After an injury, Dael Fry is eager to rejoin the team, while players like Hayden Hackney and Isaiah Jones are still out. Wagner might choose not to make any changes to his Norwich starting lineup even if Sunderland will need new players to cross the finish line.
Middlesbrough 1-2 Norwich City
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