Middlesbrough smashed QPR away in their last game. So, they will be full of confidence heading into their FA Cup 4th round tie vs Brighton. Boro saw off rivals Sunderland in the last round. But they face a much more difficult test this time around as they face Premier League side, Brighton.
Pulis has already played one strong squad in the cup with Boro. And given he says he wants to show this cup the respect it deserves, it is likely we will see another fairly strong team from Boro this weekend.
Here is how they might line up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Boro played this formation in their last game when they smashed QPR. So, it is very likely Pulis will stick with it again vs Brighton.
GK: Darren Randolph
While many teams play a sub keeper in the cup, Pulis opted to keep Randolph in net vs Sunderland in the 3rd round. Therefore, he is likely to stick with Boro’s number one Randolph vs Brighton.
RB: Cyrus Christie
Christie has been dropped in favour of Ryan Shotton in recent weeks. But given Pulis may want to rest one or two players, Christie could well be given a chance to prove himself in the cup.
RCB: Daniel Ayala
Despite having a fairly big squad, Boro are short in the centre back area. This means Pulis is likely to stick with Ayala and Gibson vs Brighton. Ayala is also improving a lot in recent weeks and he even scored vs QPR.
LCB: Ben Gibson
Gibson has been Boro’s most regular centre-back this season. And unless Pulis starts Fry vs QPR, which is unlikely, Gibson will partner Ayala.
LB: George Friend
Friend scored an absolute screamer in Middlesbrough’s last game. He is also Boro’s only left back and will start vs Brighton.
CDM: Adam Clayton
Clayton has been an outcast for much of this season. However, he has made a few appearances off the bench for Pulis and he could well start vs Brighton.
CDM: Jonny Howson
Given Pulis is likely to play a strong squad in the cup, he is likely to keep Howson in the side rather than starting someone like Adlène Guedioura.
RM: Adama Traore
Traore continues to improve game by game under Pulis including vs QPR where Traore assisted and scored his first every Boro goal. He will start vs Brighton.
CAM: Martin Braithwaite
Braithwaite was benched for Bamford last time out. But Bamford did very little vs QPR meaning Braithwaite is likely to come back into the starting XI this weekend.
LM: Stewart Downing
Downing had another solid game last time out in which he got an assist. He will start vs Brighton.
ST: Ruddy Gestede
Pulis gave a start to Assombalonga last game. However, he did not score and as Pulis seems to favour Gestede, he will likely start vs Brighton.
