Middlesbrough v MK Dons Preview

It will have been three weeks since Boro’s last Riverside outing when they take on MK Dons in tomorrow’s 3:00pm kick off. A shock defeat to Bristol City in the middle of April was the last match Aitor Karanka’s side played on home turf before the recent international break and the Boro boss will be hoping to rediscover last season’s impeccable form at the Riverside, where Boro lost just three times last campaign. Victory at Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago means that after just five games Boro sit sixth in the table with eight points. That’s one point better off than their opponents from Milton Keynes who have made an admirable start to the season since their promotion from League One which has included two wins, two losses and one draw.

Team News

Boro have no new injury concerns to report however a couple of players were called up to their national teams during the break. Christian Stuani travelled to South America to play in Uruguay’s two friendlies against Costa Rica and Panama, in which he scored the only goal, so may be rested. Emilio Nsue has been in Africa playing for Equatorial Guinea while Tomas Kalas was an unused substitute for the Czech Republic. All eyes will be on winger Albert Adomah who according to numerous sources, including Middlesbrough’s Evening Gazette, handed in a transfer request last month. However further reports this week have said that the Ghanaian winger has returned to training.

Earlier this week Dons manager Karl Robinson said that he was “shocked” by the amount of money the club has received since their promotion to the Championship. Dons have made 11 new signings since last term and will hope to use a few this weekend. However the visitors do have a number of injuries ahead of tomorrow’s clash, midfielder regular Darren Potter will be out for four to six weeks with a knee injury, while new signing Cody Cropper and Dale Jennings are also missing with knee related issues. Robinson will also be without playmaker Ben Reeves, who has a hamstring injury, and long term absentees Joe Walsh (knee) and Mark Randall (pelvis).

Facts and Stats

This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides who have never met in any previous competitions.

Karl Robinson is the longest serving manager in the Championship, having been in charge for 5 years and 122 days. He is still one of the youngest managers at just 34 years old.

Key Players

Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing 

Boro's Key

Stewart Downing

Karanka has shown that he is a manager who likes to chop and change his side, even so new signing Stewart Downing has shown that he will always be one of the first names on the team sheet. Downing has started all five league games since his return to his home town club but is still yet to score. Even so the former England international has created frequent chances and displayed some energetic performances on the left side of midfield, while adding valuable experience to the squad.   

One To Watch

Carl Baker

MK Dons midfielder Carl Baker

32 year old winger Carl Baker is The Dons’ top scorer with three league goals this season; he also played a part in their promotion from League One last season after he was released by Coventry just over a year ago. Baker already has experience in the Championship but will have to demonstrate both his attacking and defensive qualities tomorrow. As well as providing a goal threat he may have to occupy Boro full back George Friend who likes to push forward when to opportunity arises.  

Form

Middlesbrough

Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 W

Burton Albion 1-2 W (Capital One Cup)

Bristol City 0-1 L

Derby County 1-1 D

Bolton Wanderers 3-0 W

MK Dons

Birmingham 0-2 L

Cardiff 2-1 W (Capital One Cup)

Reading 0-0 D

Bolton Wanderers 1-0 W

Preston NE 0-1 L

Prediction

Middlesbrough 3 MK Dons 1

Dons were the top scorers in League One last season with 101 goals so they should be prepared to have a decent go. Karanka will have to choose who he selects upfront with Kike, David Nugent and Christain Stuani all keen to start, in truth it’s not a bad dilemma to have and I expect Boro to be too strong for the visitors at the Riverside.