Middlesbrough v Brighton Preview

Aitor Karanka admitted he already knows what his starting eleven will be ahead of this weekend’s winner takes all match with Brighton.

Boro have to avoid defeat in tomorrow’s 12:30 kick-off to gain promotion to the Premier League, yet the Spaniard was adamant he has no intentions of playing for a draw.

The Riverside will be sold out for the first time this season, after both Boro and Brighton fans snapped up their full allocations immediately.

Karanka believes the home fans can play a crucial role on a pivotal afternoon for the Teessiders and can act as a twelfth man for the team.

The Boro manager praised Boro’s fans both at home and away from the Riverside, saying ‘they deserve promotion’ after seven years in the Championship.

Mike Dean will referee the season-defining clash, after Karanka called for the best referee possible earlier this week.

Karanka appeared happy with the decision and content with a referee who has officiated ‘over 400 Premier League games.

Dean was also the referee when Boro visited Wembley in the play-off final last campaign. It’s an occasion which Karanka believes made his players stronger and gave them valuable experience ahead of this season’s promotion bid. 

Team News

Karanka admitted that full back George Friend is still “not 100%” fit, but has trained with the team this week.

Friend has missed Boro’s last three league games with a hamstring injury, which he picked up during the game at Burnley, and has been replaced by Richie De Laet at left back. Elsewhere Boro have no fresh injury concerns.

Brighton will be without their influential centre back Lewis Dunk, who was sent off in draw with Derby on Monday.

Gordon Greer is likely to be Dunk’s replacement and the 35-year-old hasn’t played a full 90 minutes this year, however Brighton manager Chris Hughton insists that the defender is ‘ready’ for tomorrow’s game.

The visitors will also be without striker Bobby Zamora, who has a hip problem, while Uwe Huenemeier and Solly March will both miss the game with groin and knee injuries respectively.

The Opposition

It’s been a great season for Brighton, and huge credit needs to go to Hughton for the job he has done following his appointment in December 2014.

The Seagulls finished 20th last season and struggled for goals throughout the campaign. This season, however, they are the top scorers in the division with 71 goals and have been ruthless in the final third.

At the start of the season Brighton avoided defeat in their first 21 games, but that impressive unbeaten run was ended by Boro when they won 3-0 at the Amex Stadium in December.  

Hughton’s side suffered a mini-blip after that and subsequently went four league games without a win.

However they have recovered well and have lost just one game since the start of February, which was a 4-1 away at Cardiff. That was 14 games ago.

One To Watch

Anthony Knockaert

After signing for the Seagulls in January, Knockaert has been a revelation for Brighton and has contributed with five goals and five assists in just 17 games.

His tricky and clear footwork can be a nightmare for defenders, as he has the ability to charge down the line or cut inside when deployed on the right of midfield.

It is unclear whether Boro’s first choice left back Friend will be available or if the duties will handed to De Laet. Whoever it is they won’t be able to let their guard down.

Last Time Out

Brighton 0 Middlesbrough 3

Boro ensured that they would be top of the table at Christmas, after ending Brighton’s 21 match unbeaten run at The Amex Stadium in December.

Kike stunned the home fans when he headed home Albert Adomah’s cross after just four minutes.

After a disciplined first half performance Boro made it 2-0 a minute before half time, when Daniel Ayala’s header deflected in off Adomah.

In the second half Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos made a decent save to deny Jamie Murphy, while at the other end David Stockdale was also kept busy in the Brighton goal.

On 62 Cristhian Stuani completed the scoring when he headed in Kike’s cross from close range.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

Karanka said he knows the team he will pick for tomorrow's game and many Boro fans would agree that is the strongest side that he can choose.

It is the same side which started at Birmingham, with the exception of Friend who should come in for De Laet at left back if he is fit enough.