Aitor Karanka said that his Middlesbrough side were the
“better team” after they stunned Manchester United to knock them out of the
Capital One Cup on Wednesday night. This weekend Boro, who are 4th
in the Championship, will return to league action to take on 22nd
placed Charlton at the Riverside. The Addicks sacked manager Guy Luzon last week
and haven’t won in the league since August; Karel Fraeye will take charge of
the team after he was appointed as their interim head coach on Monday.
Team News
Karanka made 5 changes for the United game and should make a
number of alterations once again for this league encounter. Dimi Konstantopulos
will return in goal in place of penalty shoot-out hero Tomas Mejias, while midfielder
Bruno Zuculini may make his first league appearance after sighing on loan from
Manchester City earlier this week.
In contrast Fraeye has a number of injuries to deal with and
will be without striker Igor Vetokele as well as midfielders Cristian Ceballos and
Ahmed Kashi. Midfielder Alou Diarra may come back into side after serving a
one-match suspension in Charlton’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford last time out.
Facts and Stats
Charlton haven’t beat Boro in their last 10 meetings, which
have included 3 draws and 7 defeats.
The Addicks last won at the Riverside in 2005 when they
prevailed 3-0 after goals from Dennis Rommedahl, Chris Perry and Darren Bent.
Last season Boro won this fixture 3-1 thanks to goals from
Patrick Bamford, Jelle Vossen and Lee Tomlin.
Charlton striker Tony Watt has gone 755 minutes without a
league goal (BBC Sport)
Key Players
Boro’s Key
Grant Leadbitter
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| Boro's Grant Leadbitter (Picture from i3.gazettelive.co.uk) |
The Boro captain appeared more disappointed than anyone
after Boro’s defeat at Cardiff a few weeks ago. He responded by scoring a
penalty at Wolves last weekend before converting the first spot kick in the
shoot-out at Old Trafford, both of which sparked passionate celebrations from the midfielder. Leadbitter’s
partnership with Adam Clayton in midfield has been a huge strength for Boro and
makes the team difficult to beat; however neither are regular goal scorers.
Without a goal in open play this season, Leadbitter may have to contribute more
in the attacking third if Boro are to earn promotion, especially in games at
the Riverside.
One To Watch
Johnnie Jackson
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| Charlton's Johnnie Jackson Picture from (www.skysports.com) |
Charlton’s skipper has recently come back from injury and only
returned to the side in the Addicks’ 3-0 defeat to Brentford. The 33 year old
midfielder has been at the club since 2010 and was part of the team which won
promotion to the Championship back in 2012. Jackson can be dangerous from free
kicks, but has only scored once in the league this season after 7 appearances.
He will have to contribute in attack and defence if his team are to get
anything from the Riverside where Boro have lost just once this campaign.
Form
Middlesbrough
Manchester United 0-0 – [1-3 on penalties] (Capital One Cup)
Wolves 1-3 W
Cardiff 0-1 L
Fulham 0-0 D
Reading 0-2 L
Charlton
Brentford 0-3 L
Reading 0-3 L
Reading 1-0 L
Fulham 2-2 D
Cardiff 2-1 L
Prediction
Middlesbrough 2
Charlton 0
Boro are usually strong at home and will want prove that
their victory over United wasn’t just a one off. Even so after 120 minutes of
football some players may be feeling a little tired coming into this match so I
think I could be closer than people may think. However Charlton have struggled
for goals this season and are in the relegation zone so I’m going for a home
win.
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