Middlesbrough were knocked out of the FA Cup this past weekend as they lost 1-0 to Premier League side Brighton. This means their focus can now return to the league as they look to fight for a playoff spot.
Middlesbrough host Sheffield Wednesday this weekend as they look to improve on their last display vs Brighton. Boro dominated much of the game. But yet they still came away with nothing. This is the second time this has happened to Boro under Tony Pulis as a similar game saw Boro lose 1-0 to Fulham after dominating the match. Pulis will be keen to ensure this does not happen vs Wednesday. A win for Boro could only see them move up to 7th. But given how tight the league is, a win is necessary if they want to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Here is how they might line up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
This is Tony Pulis’s preferred formation at Boro and it is extremely likely he will deploy it again on Tuesday night.
GK: Darren Randolph
Randolph had a decent game vs Brighton including making a good double save. He could do very little about Brighton’s goal and he will be hoping to keep another clean sheet vs Sheffield Wednesday.
RB: Ryan Shotton
Shotton is now Middlesbrough’s main right back under Tony Pulis as he is much more defensively capable than Cyrus Christie. He will start vs Wednesday.
RCB: Daniel Ayala
Ayala was taken off early in the Brighton game with an injury. However, he didn’t look into much pain and Pulis will be hoping he is fit enough to start on Tuesday as he has improved a lot under Pulis.
LCB: Ben Gibson
Gibson has started every game in the league for Pulis and that will likely continue given how much better Boro’s defence looks recently.
LB: George Friend
Friend is still Boro’s only available left back as Fabio looks to be leaving Middlesbrough this summer. However, it was Friend’s poor clearance that led to Brighton’s goal on Saturday. He will hopefully improve this Tuesday.
CDM: Jonny Howson
Howson had another solid game for Middlesbrough vs Brighton. He made several good tackles and helped control the game. He will start vs Sheffield Wednesday.
CDM: Grant Leadbitter
Adam Clayton partnered Howson in centre mid vs Brighton. And while he didn’t do a bad job, Pulis clearly prefers Leadbitter and it is he who is likely to start on Tuesday.
RM: Adama Traore
Traore had another good game last time out. He put in several good crosses and he was Middlesbrough’s only real goal threat forcing several saves out of Tim Krul. He will start vs Wednesday.
CAM: Stewart Downing
Downing didn’t start Boro’s last game but he was sorely missed as Middlesbrough showed a lack of creativity in the final third. He will return to the starting XI on Tuesday.
LM: Martin Braithwaite
Both Patrick Bamford and Martin Braithwaite had poor games last time out for Boro. But given Middlesbrough do not have many more options for their attacking three, it is likely Braithwaite who will keep his place this Tuesday due to him being Middlesbrough’s second top goal scorer.
ST: Rudy Gestede
Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga had chances to impress Pulis in their last game. However, neither covered themselves in any glory meaning Gestede will likely start on Tuesday.
