Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said his sides defeat to
Hull City before the international break feels like it was “months ago” and stated
he remains confident that he has an “amazing squad”.
The Boro boss revealed that striker Christian Stuani is
still doubtful for today’s game with QPR, after he went away with Uruguay on international
duty but didn’t play.
Karanka went on to say the forward would have been available
if he had stayed on Teesside to receive treatment on a hamstring issue and
claimed that was the original plan.
Boro will be hoping to put pressure on the teams ahead of
them at the top of the table by winning the Friday night fixture at the
Riverside.
QPR recently sacked Chris Ramsey and have appointed Neil Warnock as caretaker manager on a short term basis. Rangers are currently 13th in the league, eight points off a play-off spot.
Team News
When asked about Stuani on Thursday, Karanka said he hadn’t
spoke to the Uruguayan forward after he went away during the international
break and the Spaniard was unsure on his fitness.
The Boro boss did confirm that defender Fernando Amoribieta would
miss the game after picking up an injury at Hull a fortnight ago.
In contrast Rangers haven’t reported any new injury problems
ahead of the game, though Massimo Luongo has been away with Australia so could
miss out.
Stats and Facts
Boro have lost their last 4 league games against QPR, the
last meeting came at the Riverside in 2014 where Rangers won 3-1 after goals
from Yossi Benayoun, Ravel Morrison and Bobby Zamora.
Boro have 30 points after 16 games this season, which is the
same total as what they had at this stage last campaign.
Stewart Downing has created more goal scoring chances for
Boro than any other player this season (33) (BBC Sport)
Key Players
Boro’s Key
Stewart Downing
 |
| Boro's Stewart Downing (Picture from images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com) |
Boro’s marquee signing was dropped for the away trip to
Wolves last month but has come back stronger than ever adding more goals and
assists to his game. He subsequently came off the bench to score a free kick at
Molineux and then scored the only goal of the game in Boro’s victory over
Rotherham. If Boro are to get promoted they can’t just rely on goals from their
forwards, and players like Downing will have to chip in. He will also be
expected to create opportunities for others especially at home.
One To Watch
Charlie Austin
 |
| QPR's Charlie Austin (Picture from i.telegraph.co.uk) |
After a summer of speculation the potent striker decided to
stay at QPR and started the season in red hot form. He is their top scorer with
7 goals but he hasn’t scored since September due to a hamstring injury which
kept him side-lined for around a month. Austin has started Rangers’ last two
games and begun to find full fitness again. A two week break will have given
him the perfect opportunity to recover and there is no doubt that he will be
the one to watch.
Form
Middlesbrough
Hull City 3-0 L
Rotherham 1-0 W
Charlton 3-0 W
Manchester United 0-0 [1-3 on penalties] (Capital One Cup)W
Wolves 1-3 W
QPR
Preston 0-0 D
Derby 1-0 L
Brentford 1-0 L
MK Dons 3-0 W
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 D
Prediction
Middlesbrough 3 QPR 1
In the past couple of games teams who have visited the
Riverside have lacked quality and come simply to defend away from home. With the
likes of Austin, Matt Phillips and Junior Hoilett in their ranks I expect QPR
to have more of a go which should make for a more open game. This should allow
Boro’s more creative players like Downing and Albert Adomah to get to the ball
so I’m going for a 3-1 win for Boro.
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