r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again lads an lasses........................................
Tonight we take no prisoners!
Its time to take on the biggest test this season of our resolve and never-say-die mentality. Its time to show we have the balls and the determination to bring home three valuable points and cement our place in the top six. Its time to light the fires of passion on Teesside and show everyone else we mean business.
The Top Half of The Championship Table:
Match Preview
[https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...ough-prediction-team-news-lineups_476058.html]
Blackburn Rovers
play host to Middlesbrough on Monday evening looking to get back to winning ways in the Championship promotion race.
However, while a seven-point gap separates these two clubs, Boro have a game in hand, meaning that victory at Ewood Park will move them into contention for the top three.
© Reuters
Blackburn reached a point during December where it appeared that they could conquer any team at the second tier having posted five successive wins and clean sheets.
While a subsequent return of seven points from four games should not be perceived as the wheels falling off, Blackburn's level has dropped, and Tony Mowbray has decisions to make before the end of the January transfer window.
Rovers lost out to struggling Hull City by a 2-0 scoreline on Wednesday night, Rovers' second away defeat in three outings when including the FA Cup disappointment at Wigan Athletic.
Ben Brereton Diaz is now without a goal in four matches in all competitions, and it is no coincidence that Rovers have struggled for results at the same time that the Chile international has started to mis-fire.
On a positive note, Rovers have collected five wins and a draw from their last six fixtures at Ewood Park, the best return from home games over that timespan in the division.
© Reuters
Middlesbrough have taken over as the form team in the division of late, Chris Wilder overseeing an unbeaten streak which has now reached seven matches.
Although Boro have failed to score more than twice in any of those games, Wilder will be more than satisfied with the efficiency of their performances.
Boro had to show character in their latest outing, relying on two late goals from Matt Crooks to earn a 2-1 triumph over Reading at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough have now netted decisive strikes in their most recent three fixtures in all competitions, a trait which will not go unnoticed by their upcoming opponents.
At a time when Blackburn possess a lengthy unbeaten run at Ewood Park, Boro have not lost in their last four league matches on the road.
Blackburn Rovers Championship form:
© Reuters
Blackburn will be able to call upon right wing-back Ryan Nyambe, who served a one-match ban in midweek.
If Lewis Travis is able to return from illness, John Buckley can play further forward, which will likely lead to Sam Gallagher dropping down to the substitutes' bench.
Daniel Ayala is in contention for a recall to the back three after the performance away at Hull.
Either Folarin Balogun or Duncan Watmore are likely to be preferred to Aaron Connolly in the Middlesbrough attack.
Barring any late fitness issues, the rest of the starting lineup could stay the same.
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Van Hecke, Lenihan, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Rothwell, Edun; Buckley; Brereton Diaz, Khadra
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Taylor; Tavernier; Sporar, Balogun
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATS:
Blackburn Rovers
have followed up a recent run of six straight wins by failing to win three of their last four competitive clashes, providing something of a reality check for the promotion-chasing outfit. Now just seven points above Middlesbrough ahead of this matchday and having played a game more, manager Tony Mowbray will be under no illusions regarding the importance of this clash.
Mowbray tends to enjoy fixtures against his local club, whom he both played for and managed, losing just two of 11 managerial meetings against them (W4, D5, L2). That record will surely improve if Blackburn can replicate the defensive displays that have seen them concede only once across their last five home games (W4, D1) whilst netting 11 times in return!
Over 2,500 travelling fans are making the journey from Teesside to watch their beloved Boro, which in itself is an indicator of form with this being a televised Monday night fixture. Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough have won seven of their previous eight competitive games since their last defeat in late November, with each of their last three victories being dramatically sealed in second-half injury-time!
Middlesbrough are currently enjoying a run of four straight league wins, one more of which will equal their best run since a five-game streak under Aitor Karanka in 2015/16 - a season which saw them automatically promoted. Their most recent win was their first victory after conceding the opener this season, which is something they haven’t achieved away from home since April 2021.
Players to watch: Blackburn are without 20-goal Ben Brereton Díaz for this and could instead rely on Joe Rothwell who’s made ten goal contributions this term (G3, A7). For Middlesbrough, fan favourite Matt Crooks scored twice beyond the 80 minute mark last time out - they were the 6ft 5’ midfielders third and fourth headed goals this term.
Hot stat: Boro manager Wilder has won all four of his prior H2Hs with Mowbray-managed sides, two of which were ‘to nil’.
Will not play
Dack B.
(Knee Injury)
Poveda I.
(Injury)
Ameobi S.
(Injury)
Browne M.
(Injury)
Fisher D.
(Injury)
Questionable
Pickering H.
(Injury)
Match Information
Referee: England D. (Eng), Venue: Ewood Park (Blackburn)
Courtesy of Flashscores: https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/23m0wdPG/#match-summary
Tonight we take no prisoners!
Its time to take on the biggest test this season of our resolve and never-say-die mentality. Its time to show we have the balls and the determination to bring home three valuable points and cement our place in the top six. Its time to light the fires of passion on Teesside and show everyone else we mean business.
The Top Half of The Championship Table:
Match Preview
[https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...ough-prediction-team-news-lineups_476058.html]
Blackburn Rovers
play host to Middlesbrough on Monday evening looking to get back to winning ways in the Championship promotion race.
However, while a seven-point gap separates these two clubs, Boro have a game in hand, meaning that victory at Ewood Park will move them into contention for the top three.
Match preview
Blackburn reached a point during December where it appeared that they could conquer any team at the second tier having posted five successive wins and clean sheets.
While a subsequent return of seven points from four games should not be perceived as the wheels falling off, Blackburn's level has dropped, and Tony Mowbray has decisions to make before the end of the January transfer window.
Rovers lost out to struggling Hull City by a 2-0 scoreline on Wednesday night, Rovers' second away defeat in three outings when including the FA Cup disappointment at Wigan Athletic.
Ben Brereton Diaz is now without a goal in four matches in all competitions, and it is no coincidence that Rovers have struggled for results at the same time that the Chile international has started to mis-fire.
On a positive note, Rovers have collected five wins and a draw from their last six fixtures at Ewood Park, the best return from home games over that timespan in the division.
Middlesbrough have taken over as the form team in the division of late, Chris Wilder overseeing an unbeaten streak which has now reached seven matches.
Although Boro have failed to score more than twice in any of those games, Wilder will be more than satisfied with the efficiency of their performances.
Boro had to show character in their latest outing, relying on two late goals from Matt Crooks to earn a 2-1 triumph over Reading at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough have now netted decisive strikes in their most recent three fixtures in all competitions, a trait which will not go unnoticed by their upcoming opponents.
At a time when Blackburn possess a lengthy unbeaten run at Ewood Park, Boro have not lost in their last four league matches on the road.
Blackburn Rovers Championship form:
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- L
- W
- W
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
Team News
Blackburn will be able to call upon right wing-back Ryan Nyambe, who served a one-match ban in midweek.
If Lewis Travis is able to return from illness, John Buckley can play further forward, which will likely lead to Sam Gallagher dropping down to the substitutes' bench.
Daniel Ayala is in contention for a recall to the back three after the performance away at Hull.
Either Folarin Balogun or Duncan Watmore are likely to be preferred to Aaron Connolly in the Middlesbrough attack.
Barring any late fitness issues, the rest of the starting lineup could stay the same.
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Van Hecke, Lenihan, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Rothwell, Edun; Buckley; Brereton Diaz, Khadra
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Taylor; Tavernier; Sporar, Balogun
We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Middlesbrough [Roofie say 1-3 Boro]
Given the manner of Blackburn's defeat last time out, there is an argument that Boro should be marginal favourites for this contest. However, home advantage could play a part, and we feel that a low-scoring - but extremely competitive - share of the spoils is on the cards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATS:
have followed up a recent run of six straight wins by failing to win three of their last four competitive clashes, providing something of a reality check for the promotion-chasing outfit. Now just seven points above Middlesbrough ahead of this matchday and having played a game more, manager Tony Mowbray will be under no illusions regarding the importance of this clash.
Mowbray tends to enjoy fixtures against his local club, whom he both played for and managed, losing just two of 11 managerial meetings against them (W4, D5, L2). That record will surely improve if Blackburn can replicate the defensive displays that have seen them concede only once across their last five home games (W4, D1) whilst netting 11 times in return!
Over 2,500 travelling fans are making the journey from Teesside to watch their beloved Boro, which in itself is an indicator of form with this being a televised Monday night fixture. Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough have won seven of their previous eight competitive games since their last defeat in late November, with each of their last three victories being dramatically sealed in second-half injury-time!
Middlesbrough are currently enjoying a run of four straight league wins, one more of which will equal their best run since a five-game streak under Aitor Karanka in 2015/16 - a season which saw them automatically promoted. Their most recent win was their first victory after conceding the opener this season, which is something they haven’t achieved away from home since April 2021.
Players to watch: Blackburn are without 20-goal Ben Brereton Díaz for this and could instead rely on Joe Rothwell who’s made ten goal contributions this term (G3, A7). For Middlesbrough, fan favourite Matt Crooks scored twice beyond the 80 minute mark last time out - they were the 6ft 5’ midfielders third and fourth headed goals this term.
Hot stat: Boro manager Wilder has won all four of his prior H2Hs with Mowbray-managed sides, two of which were ‘to nil’.
Will not play
Dack B.
(Knee Injury)
Poveda I.
(Injury)
Ameobi S.
(Injury)
Browne M.
(Injury)
Fisher D.
(Injury)
Questionable
Pickering H.
(Injury)
Match Information
Referee: England D. (Eng), Venue: Ewood Park (Blackburn)
Courtesy of Flashscores: https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/23m0wdPG/#match-summary
Boro Record v Blackburn:
. Breaking my drinking on a school night for this one 
love Mogga but tonight I hope we stuff ya UTB
