Middlesbrough need to be at their best if they are to beat Sunderland on Saturday.
Boro face their biggest test of the 2024/25 season so far this coming weekend when they travel to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have enjoyed a prolific start to the campaign and are second in the Championship table.
Middlesbrough, on the other hand, have managed to secure just two wins from their opening five games, currently sitting 10th in the division.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 8 |  DerbyDerby | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| 9 |  LeedsLeeds | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| 10 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 11 |  SwanseaSwansea | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 12 |  QPRQPR | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 6 |
After failing to secure three points in any of their first five Championship fixtures in 2023/24, Michael Carrick should be fairly pleased with his side’s results this term.
However, after facing two of the three newly promoted teams and two other struggling sides, most Boro fans likely expected their club to have accumulated more than eight points at this stage of the campaign.
Middlesbrough have dominated every match they have played in 2024/25, with it clear one area of their game must improve if they are to start competing with the top teams in the division.
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Michael Carrick told where Middlesbrough must improve ahead of Sunderland
Injuries to the likes of Rav van den Berg and Dael Fry early in the campaign have weakened Boro defensively.
This has led to several mistakes at the back that have cost the Teessiders goals and points.
However, it is at the other end of the pitch where Middlesbrough are really struggling to get going.
Boro’s 9.6 xG is the highest in the Championship but they have only scored six goals, two of which were penalties.
Now, speaking on The Championship Chat podcast, journalist George Smith has told Carrick that Middlesbrough have got to get better at taking their chances.
He said: “For Middlesbrough, it’s a very familiar story. 1.4 XG to Preston’s 0.44 and it ends level at 1-1.
“It tells the tale of where Middlesbrough have got to improve. The chances are being created and they just need to take them, it’s as simple as that.
“I’m sure for Boro, the wins will start racking up because the performances are there, the opportunities just aren’t being taken. Not massive panic for Michael Carrick but he’ll just want his players to sharpen up their shooting that little bit more.”
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Who will start up front for Middlesbrough vs Sunderland
Given the plethora of attacking options at their disposal, it is quite surprising Middlesbrough have not converted more of their chances this season.
Carrick’s favoured front four in 2024/25 has been Delano Burgzorg, Finn Azaz, Isaiah Jones and Emmanuel Latte Lath.
However, Conway received praise during Middlesbrough vs Preston North End and may be in line to occupy the no.10 role once more this weekend.
That will likely see Azaz pushed out onto the left wing in place of Burgzorg. The former Plymouth Argyle man has previously played in that position but is much more effective through the middle.
The biggest selection headache Carrick faces ahead of Sunderland, however, is who to start on the right.
Isaiah Jones, Ben Doak and Micah Hamilton are all competing for a starting berth and with the former of that trio counting to underperform, the Boro boss may opt to hand Doak his first start against Sunderland.