Middlesbrough lost 1-0 to Cardiff City last weekend. Which put a huge dent in their promotion push. It also showed Boro are finding it very hard to beat any of the top sides this season.
So, now they are set to face 21st place Hull tomorrow, a win is vital as if Middlesbrough are to stand any chance of making the playoffs this season they will have to win all of their games against the lower half sides. A win for Boro could see them move as high as 7th and a loss could see them drop to 13th.
Here is how they might line up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Middlesbrough have stuck with 4-2-3-1 throughout the season and they are very likely to do the same again on Tuesday night.
GK: Darren Randolph
Randolph could have perhaps done slightly better with Cardiff’s goal last weekend. Although he will still keep his place vs Hull, given he has been one of Boro’s better performers this season.
RB: Ryan Shotton
Shotton is now firmly Middlesbrough’s main right back and he will start vs Hull City.
RCB: Daniel Ayala
Ayala didn’t do an awful lot wrong for the Cardiff goal and he will keep his place vs Hull. Especially given the number of goals he has scored under Tony Pulis.
LCB: Ben Gibson
Gibson should have been stronger for the Cardiff City goal at the weekend and Pulis will be hoping he puts on a much better display on Tuesday.
LB: George Friend
Friend also could have done a bit better in closing down Morrison for the Cardiff goal. However, Friend is Boro’s only left back at the moment so he will start vs Hull.
CDM: Grant Leadbitter
Leadbitter was probably Middlesbrough’s best centre mid in their last game. However, the bar was not exactly high. Either way, he is likely to start vs Hull.
CDM: Adam Clayton
Both Besic and Howson were subbed off in Middlesbrough’s last game with Besic being subbed very early in the 62nd minutes. This could suggest Pulis was not pleased with their displays and he could give Clayton a start vs Hull.
RM: Adama Traore
Adama had one of his quieter games vs for Middlesbrough at the weekend. So, Middlesbrough will be hoping Traore can put in a much better display vs Hull like he did vs Reading when he won Boro the game.
CAM: Stewart Downing
Downing didn’t have a great game vs Cardiff. But given he is the only player who can do a decent job in CAM for Boro he will start there vs Hull.
LM: Jack Harrison
Harrison has yet to start a game for Boro. However, given the poor attacking threat, they have shown lately it is likely Pulis will give Harrison a chance vs Hull in the hopes he can add some much-needed creativity to a lacklustre attack.
ST: Britt Assombalonga
Ruddy Gestede once again had a poor game vs Cardiff City and he was subbed off in the 62nd minutes. So, it is likely Assombalonga will take his place on Tuesday as he searches for his first goal under Pulis.
