Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka described Monday night’s
victory over Hull as “massive” and hopes his side can sustain their momentum
when they take on Southampton this weekend.
The Saints will have to recover from their Europa League
exit on Thursday night when a 1-1 draw at home to Israeli side Hapoel Beer
Sheva saw them crash out of the competition. However, Karanka isn’t focusing
the opponentions busy schedule.
“I don’t know (If playing on Thursday will make a
difference) I know that we will face a really good side and it will be a tough
game but I would prefer to focus on ourselves,” said the Boro boss.
Karanka also stated that his team showed “they can do more
than just defend,” after dominating possession against an injury-hit Hull side.
Boro had earned plaudits for their defensive performances,
which earned them impressive draws away Arsenal and Manchester City, however
their lack of creativity upfront had been a cause for concern.
“I had to defend my team after some games against the big
sides but against Leicester and Hull we showed we know how to play with the
ball, it’s not the same playing Arsenal or Manchester City away from home and
playing Hull at home”.
The win moved Boro up to 13th in the league, four
points clear of the relegation (before the start of the weekend).
Team News
Karanka confirmed that Gaston Ramirez, Alvaro Negredo and Jordan
Rhodes are all doubts after picking up knocks, all will be assessed before the
game.
The Boro boss also revealed full-back George Friend is
training with the team again but still needs to build up his fitness, meaning
he is unlikely to feature.
Southampton’s top scorer Charlie Austin will miss the game
after suffering a shoulder injury against Hapoel Beer Sheva on Thursday.
The Opposition
Southampton are just one place above Boro in the table (at
the start of the weekend) with 17 points from 14 games.
New manager Claude Puel has contemplated three competitions in
his first few months in England, and it could be argued that the Saints’ run to
the League Cup semi-final and their European exertions have affected their
league form.
Puel often deploys a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with a diamond in
midfield but his side have found goals hard to come by, scoring just 13 in 14
games.
Alternatively, Southampton’s defence has been one of the
best in the in division, particularly their centre-back pairing of Jose Fonte
and Virgil Van Dijk.
Even so the Saints’ backline was breached three times last
weekend, as they were beaten 3-0 by a struggling Crystal Palace side.
One To Watch
Virgil Van Dijk
The Dutch centre half has been one of the best defenders in
the league this season and has formed a robust partnership with Southampton
captain Jose Fonte.
Van Dijk reads the game well and is a threat in the air from
set plays. He is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and often starts
his side’s attacks from the back.
Last Time Out
Middlesbrough 2
Southampton 1 – 21/4/2012
Boro postponed Southampton’s promotion party back to the
Premier League when they beat the Saints at the Riverside on the penultimate
day of the season.
Billy Sharp gave the visitors the lead after just 47 seconds
but Boro equalised though Nicky Bailey’s deflected shot.
A point would have earned Southampton promotion however they
were denied 13 minutes from time when Merouane Zemmama swept home a brilliant
free kick.
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