All was well at the Riverside on Tuesday night as
Middlesbrough recorded their third victory in a row with 3-1 home win over
Brentford. Just a week after handing in an unforeseen transfer request, chirpy
winger Albert Adomah scored his first goal since last season’s play-off
semi-final in May before emitting a huge hug of gratitude towards his manager
Aitor Karanka, who had earlier expressed their were “no issues” between them.
There were also two goals for new signing Christian Stuani who notched his goal
tally up to five for the season following his arrival from Espanyol this summer,
as Boro moved up to second in the table after seven games. But after two games
in the space of four days Karanka’s side will take to the field again, this
time away from home, in Sky
Sports’ lunch time kick-off when they take on a Nottingham Forest side
who have also won their last two games.
Team News
Centre back Ben Gibson could return for Boro after missing
the mid-week victory over Benetford with a hamstring injury. Adomah could make
his first start since handing in a much talked about transfer request, however
he will face competition from the likes of Christian Stuani who started on the
right in mi-week and scored two goals.
After winning 1-0 away at Birmingham on Tuesday, Forrest
could give a debut to new loan signing Jonathan Williams who signed from
Crystal Palace last week. Ryan Mendes, David Vaughan and striker Chris O'Grady
were all rested in mid-week so could return, manager Dougie Freedman will have
to decide whether forward Dexter Blackstock should keep his place after scoring
the winner last time out.
Facts and Stats
Boro haven’t won at the City ground since their relegation
from the Premier League back in 2009, since then they have played there six
times in the league and haven’t taken three point in any of the meetings, which
include four defeats and three draws.
“Boro's Cristhian Stuani has the best minutes-to-goal ratio
of any player with three or more goals, scoring a goal every 81 minutes”. (BBC Sport)
“Only Reading (86) have had more shots than Forest this
season (84), excluding blocked efforts”. (BBC Sport)
Key Players
Boro's Key
Daniel Ayala
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| Boro's Daniel Ayala |
Over the past year Daniel Ayala has become one of, if not the
best, centre back in the division. Commanding in the air, good on the ball and
he even adds the occasional goal as well. Last season Boro conceded the least
amount of goals in the league and that is the same story after seven games this
campaign. Away from home, against an in form Forest side, it will be important
for Boro to remain resolute at the back meaning Ayala will have to play a key
role in this fixture.
One To Watch
Henri Lansbury
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| Forest's Henri Lansbury |
Forest lost talismanic winger Michael Antonio to West Ham
this summer, but since then they have won two games out of two and according to
Nottingham
post “Forest look stronger and less one-dimensional without him”. One
reason for that is midfielder Henri Lansbury, who has become an integral member
of the squad over the past three seasons. Lansbury is naturally good on the
ball and will have to be on his game to compete with the robust duo of Grant
Leadbitter and Adam Clayton in the Boro midfield.
Form
Nottingham Forest
Birmingham City 0-1 W
QPR 1-2 W
Cardiff City 1-2 L
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 D
Charlton Athletic 0-0 D
Middlesbrough
Brentford 3-1 W
MK Dons 2-0 W
Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 W
Burton Albion 1-2 W (Capital One Cup)
Bristol City 0-1 L
Prediction
Nottingham Forest 1 Middlesbrough 1
This is a match between two sides who have kept things tight
at the back this season and both come into the game in good form. Boro have
started to score goals with the likes of Stuani, Downing and Nugent finding
form but I think home advantage will play a part and a tight game could end in
a draw.
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