Middlesbrough’s victory over Charlton on Saturday was
“almost a perfect game” according to manager Aitor Karanka, after his side
picked up no injuries or suspensions ahead of tonight’s match against bottom of
the table Rotherham. Boro may be 4th in the Championship and still
on a high after knocking Manchester United out of the Capital One Cup; however Karanka
was keen not to get too carried away and the Spaniard claimed he was expecting
a “difficult game”
The Millers are still without a win under recently appointed
manager Neil Redfearn, who will take charge of his fifth game tonight. His side
haven’t won since the end of September and will enter the match following a 3-0
defeat away to Derby.
Team News
As Karanka said in his pre-match press conference Boro have
no new injury concerns. Even so the Boro boss did confirm he will still be
without forward Christian Stuani and midfielder Adam Forshaw who are missing
with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. Captain Grant Leadbitter and
George Friend were both rested at the weekend so are likely to return.
Rotherham striker Matt Derbyshire missed the defeat to Derby
with a calf injury but could be available for the trip to the Riverside. Defender
Farrend Rawson and midfielder Lee Frecklington were also out injured at the
weekend but have since returned to training.
Stats and Facts
Last season Boro did the double over Rotherham winning 2-0
at the Riverside and 3-0 at the New York Stadium.
Boro have the best goal difference in the league with +14,
Hull have the 2nd best with +13, Rotherham have the second worst in
the division with -12.
Rotherham haven’t scored against Boro in the last 3 meetings
between the sides.
Key Players
Boro’s Key
Albert Adomah
 |
| Boro's Albert Adomah (Picture from i.guim.co.uk) |
Last season only Patrick Bamford and Grant Leadbitter scored
10 or more goals for Boro, as they fell short of promotion. The Teesiders may
have added strikers like David Nugent and Christian Stuani to the squad over
the summer, even so if they want sustain a strong promotion challenge they will
need more goals to come from midfield. Adomah scored his second league goal of
the season on Saturday should aim to add more in games to come.
One To Watch
Danny Collins
 |
| Rotherham's Danny Collins (Picture from www.thestar.co.uk) |
The former Sunderland and Stoke defender signed for
Rotherham on a free transfer this summer and has played all 14 of the Millers’
league games this campaign. At 35 Collins is not the most mobile defender in
the division and his lack of pace could be exposed, however his vast experience
could be vital if his side are to take anything from the game. This season teams
near the bottom of the league have come to the Riverside and piled men behind the
ball in the hope of keeping a clean sheet. Rotherham are likely to the same so
it could be down to Collins to stay disciplined and organize the visitors’
backline.
Form
Middlesbrough
Charlton 3-0 W
Manchester United 0-0 [1-3 on penalties] W (Capital One Cup)
Wolves 1-3 W
Cardiff 0-1 L
Fulham 0-0 D
Rotherham
Derby 3-0 L
Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 L
Reading 1-1 D
Brentford 2-1 L
Burnley 1-2 L
Prediction
Middlesbrough 2
Rotherham 0
Neil Redfearn will be hoping for a response from his players
after a 3-0 defeat to Derby. It is therefore likely that he will set his team
up to defend and frustrate Boro at the Riverside. Even so the Millers have
conceded 27 goals this season which is the highest in the division. If Boro
score early then the game could quickly run away from Rotherham. However it the
visitors are allowed to settle they could prove a tough nut to crack.
No comments:
Post a Comment