How do we predict Boro will fare on Good Friday against Millwall
Middlesbrough returned to action on Friday after the international break, so it was the start of one of the club’s most important performances in a long time.
With seven games remaining, promotion remains a real possibility. And to start their last game they couldn’t find a more important game. Fourth-placed Millwall visit sitting just two points behind Boro.
In the worst case, Boro could be without key midfielders due to international duty and injuries. In his pregame press conference, head coach Kim Hellberg was tight-lipped about whether Hayden Hackney, Riley McGree, Aidan Morris or Morgan Whittaker would be available.
So how will Boro cope with all that in mind? Here is our predicted team for Boro’s crucial promotion clash with Millwall at the sold-out Riverside venue.
GK – Sol Brynn – Perhaps the easiest pick each week is Brynn in goal. Joe Wildsmith signed in January on loan from West Brom, but it would take an injury to get him up front for the Teessider.
DC – Luke Ayling We’ve considered the options available, going with a back three, about Millwall’s tendency to go forward with two. It’s not defensive at all, it’s a formation that allows Ayling to get forward and make the most of his skills on the ball.
DC – Dael Fry – In a game like this, Boro will need their central midfielder in top form. Millwall’s forwards, including Josh Coburn, are always in a physical battle. Fry should be like that too.
DC – Adilson Malanda Like Ayling, Malanda could be a real asset at the back, as he has the physical attributes to help deal with Millwall’s threat as well.
RWB – Callum Brittain – Playing at wing-back gives Brittain the opportunity to attack aggressively down the right wing, which he excels at. Boro need another final product from him, but his recent efforts can’t be faulted.
CM – Alan Browne – Sadly, I don’t see Morris doing this game. When he finished his match against the USA at around 2am in the UK – having played 80 minutes in the game – he had to fly across the Atlantic to return.
He is definitely in no condition, mentally or physically, to start this game. With that in mind, Boro will need late man Browne to return to his midfield role.
CM – Leo Castledine – Sadly, I also doubt Hackney’s availability for this game. All signs point to any calf injury lasting longer than he had to in time to play against Millwall.
Castledine, meanwhile, can play as an 8, has been playing with confidence of late and has now benefited from two weeks of uninterrupted training following his recent injury.
CM – Riley McGree – One of the four doubts that I think will probably make it, so they will start against Millwall is McGree. His last match for Australia ended around midday on Tuesday, UK time, and he played just 25 minutes in it.
It gave him about 24 hours for Morris to return. He did well in that international game, so there is no doubt that he is on the way.
LWB – Matt Target – He did not enjoy as much attacking freedom as a winger at Blackburn as he did at Birmingham, when he struck twice. However, during that time, Conway continued with his extensive role which meant that there was not enough space for him. In this one, as in Birmingham, I’d be telling Conway to stay in the middle. Boro need their strikers in the box.
ST – David Strelec – Strelec returns from international duty having scored two goals in two games for his country. Compared to the two he has scored for Boro recently, he is hopefully in good shape to enjoy a solid end to the season.
ST – Tommy Conway – As Conway has been playing a lot lately, I would like to see him in the middle again. I understand that Hellberg wants to use his work ethic, which he can’t get over the middle against the low end. However, Boro create many chances and do not finish. They are getting to the edge a lot, but they have no one on the back end.
Both Conway and Strelec should be in the box, even if that means sacrificing Conway’s overall impact on the game.
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