After an abysmal display vs Leeds United on Sunday, Middlesbrough will be hoping to bounce back in midweek when they host Birmingham City. Birmingham are just two points above the relegation zone. So, Boro will be hoping for an easy three points in midweek to make up for a lacklustre display against a Leeds side who had not won at home for two months until Boro turned up.
A win for Boro could see them move up to 5th in the table whereas a loss could see them move as low as 11th. Here is how they might line up.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Middlesbrough Line-up Vs Birmingham City
Formation: 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 seems to be Middlesbrough’s favourite formation this season. So, it is very likely Boro will line up vs Birmingham with the same system. However, some changes are necessary after an awful display at Leeds.
GK: Darren Randolph
Despite letting in two at Leeds, Randolph is still an excellent keeper and he was not really at fault for either goal. So, he should retain his place on Wednesday, given how well he has performed overall this season for Boro.
RB: Cyrus Christie
Christie missed the Leeds game due to suspension and it really showed how badly Boro need him.
Connor Roberts was his replacement at Elland Road. However, he simply couldn’t handle Leeds attackers and provided none of the attacking threat Boro are so used to from Christie. Therefore, Christie needs to be back in the side this Wednesday.
RCB: Daniel Ayala
Ayala was a bit of a talking point vs Leeds as he earned Boro a penalty seconds after he had fouled a Leeds defender. But his defensive display wasn’t that bad and Middlesbrough’s defensive problems largely came from their full-backs, meaning Ayala is likely to keep his place vs Birmingham.
LCB: Ben Gibson
Gibson, like Ayala, didn’t do much wrong at Leeds. Also, as Gibson has started every league game for Boro this season, he will star vs Birmingham unless he is injured in training.
LB: Fabio
George Friend started at left back vs Leeds largely because Fabio was not 100%. However, after Friend’s display at Leeds, you can almost guarantee Fabio will start at Birmingham.
CDM: Adam Clayton
Clayton has been out of favour with Monk for some time now as he has not even made the matchday squad in Boro’s last four games.
However, after the Leeds game, it was quite clear Boro’s midfield was not good enough and it didn’t provide enough cover for the back four or start any good attacks. Clayton can do both of those things. So, whatever personal problems Monk has with Clayton, he needs to put them aside and start playing Clayton again as he is Boro’s best central midfielder.
CDM: Jonny Howson
If somehow Clayton does come back into the side vs Birmingham, it will likely be Leadbitter who is dropped.
This is not based on Howson or Leadbitter’s performances. But simply Monk favours the players he signed more. So, it would be Howson who would partner Clayton, not Leadbitter.
RM: Stewart Downing
Downing had a quiet game vs Leeds. But this was probably not helped by the fact it was a poor Connor Roberts supporting him instead of the inform Cyrus Christie.
Christie will be back in the side vs Birmingham so hopefully, the pair can link up well like they have done in previous games.
CAM: Martin Braithwaite
Braithwaite put in a decent display at Leeds. He tried very hard to create things and looked a danger every time he was on the ball. He is likely to start on Wednesday.
LM: Marcus Tavernier
Tavernier was subbed off early in the second half at Leeds. However, when he was on the pitch he did manage to have several chances at goal. Admittedly he didn’t do great with some of them. However, Tavernier should retain his place vs Birmingham.
ST: Britt Assombalonga
Assombalonga is Middlesbrough’s main goalscoring outlet this season. He found the net once again in Boro’s last game, this time from the penalty spot. This put him on nine league goals for the season, only one behind the league top scorer. Therefore, he will start at Birmingham as it’s hard to see anyone else in the Boro team providing the same impetus that he does.
