Nine games into the Championship season, Middlesbrough have made a decent start to their league campaign as they stand second in the table, with five wins and three draws. Tony Pulis would be relatively happy with his side’s performances at the moment, but they are fresh from a 0-0 draw against Swansea City from the weekend. They will now travel to Deepdale to take on Preston in the third round of the League Cup this week.
It is a League Cup fixture that Alex Neil’s side managed to set up after beating Leeds United in the last round. Pulis’ men beat Rochdale in the previous round and would hope to get a similar result in this tie. Preston will not be easy to beat at home, but the visitors are in fine form at the moment and are favourites to win this game. Here is the predicted lineup Middlesbrough might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, the manager has no new injury issues to worry about and has a fully fit squad to chose from, ahead of this game.
Expected lineup (3-5-2):
Defence:
Darren Randolph has let in just three goals this season and has been the first choice for Pulis. He could be rested for this game. Andy Lonergan should take his place in the side as he did in the last round of this competition. Young Nathan Wood-Gordon did pretty well against Rochdale but could be replaced by Danny Batth at the heart of the defence.
He should have Paddy McNair and Dael Fry on either side, adding some experience and steel to the backline.
Midfield:
Adam Clayton has been superb in the middle of the park for Boro, but he should be rested, giving Grant Leadbitter a chance to start in the deepest of the midfield roles. Muhamed Besic only came off the bench in the 0-0 draw against Swansea at the weekend. He and Marcus Tavernier, who was impressive against Rochdale, should start in slightly advanced roles in the midfield.
Sam McQueen came off the bench at the weekend and should be fresh to start this game at left wing-back. Martin Braithwaite might have to cover for Boro in the right wing-back role for this game.
Attack:
Jordan Hugill scored his side’s second in the 2-0 victory over Rochdale in the last round of the competition. He made an impact coming off the bench at the weekend but would get his chance to impress from the start in this League Cup tie.
Ashley Fletcher has started just four league games this season, and this game would be a chance for him to prove himself to Pulis.
Here is how they might line up:
