Even the prudent and humble Aitor Karanka admitted that the Championship
table is looking “amazing” ahead of his sides clash with Bristol City this
weekend.
Middlesbrough are five points clear at the top of the
division with a game in hand after a phenomenal few weeks, in which they beat promotion
rivals Burnley, Brighton and Derby.
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| Daniel Ayala celebrates his goals against Brentford on Tuesday (Picture from www.mfc.co.uk) |
Another shutout against Bristol would see the set a second
division record for the most consecutive clean sheets.
When asked about his sides imperious defence, Karanka put it
down to the use of video analysis saying that he doesn’t have a lot of time to
work with his players on the pitch.
He also said that he likes the pressure that his squad are
under to reach the Premier League, as they are ready to gain promotion this
season. Even so there is an uncertainty about this weekend’s encounter.
City may be lingering in the relegation zone, but sacked
manager Steve Cotterill yesterday and remain the only side to have beaten Boro
at the Riverside this campaign.
Karanka admitted that he is concerned about the contest and
is expecting a “much more difficult game” than the slender 1-0 victory at
Brentford in mid-week.
Boro faced the Bees four times last season, after meeting
twice in the play-offs and Karanka acknowledged that his side knew what to
expect from the London based club.
City, on the other hand, were promoted from League One last
season and startled Boro when they played an unorthodox 5-3-2 formation at the
Riverside, where they came away with a 1-0 victory.
Team News
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| Boro's Ben Gibson (Picture from www.mfc.co.uk) |
Defender Fernando Amorebieta limped off during Boro’s FA Cup
match with Burnley last weekend but played the full 90 minutes against
Brentford on Tuesday.
Ben Gibson missed the mid-week game after picking up a knock
in training and will be assessed ahead of the match.
City forward Luke Freeman limped off in their defeat to
Preston with a dead leg, while goalkeeper Frank Fielding missed the game due to
shoulder injury. That meant Richard O'Donnell, on loan from Wigan, made his
debut in goal and he could start again this weekend.
The Opposition
Cotterill’s sacking may have seemed harsh considering he got
City promoted last campaign, but it was understandable with the Robins sitting
two points from safety and without a win in six league games.
They have won just four league games all season and have
lost their last three, including a resounding 4-0 defeat to Burnley.
They were unfortunate not to cause an FA Cup upset when they
led West Brom by two goals to one away from home, only to concede a 90th
minute equaliser.
Their last win came on December 12 when they beat Huddersfield
away from home; however that is their only win in 11 games.
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| Bristol City's Jonathan Kodjia (Picture from www.bcfcpics.co.uk) |
One To Watch
Jonathan Kodjia
Kodjia has been City’s shining light this season and is
their top scorer with 10 goals this in all competitions, after signing from French
side Angers SCO in the summer.
He has pace to run in behind defenders and showed plenty of energy
early on when the sides met at the Riverside back in August.
Last Time Out
Middlesbrough 0
Bristol City 1
Full back Joe Bryan scored the only goal of the game after
eight minutes, as City escaped from the Riverside with all three points.
City started well and took their chance when Bryan finished
a neat passing move on the left hand. The visitors then hung on as Boro failed
to make their possession count and struggled to break down City’s 5-3-2 formation.
Team I Would Play
4-2-3-1
GK Dimi Konstantopulos
RB Emilio Nsue
CB Ben Gibson
CB Daniel Ayala
LB George Friend
CM Grant Leadbitter
CM Adam Clayton
LM Albert Adomah
RM Cristhian Stuani
CAM Stewart Downing
ST David Nugent
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