Middlesbrough will be looking to keep their unbeaten start to the season going when they face Derby County.
Boro kicked off their 2024/25 Championship season at home to Swansea City on August 10th.
The Reds had not won on the opening day of a season for 10 years prior to last weekend but an Emmanuel Latte Lath penalty saw Middlesbrough beat Swansea City 1-0.
It was not the most convincing win for the Teessiders, who were lucky not to concede an equaliser late on.
However, Isaiah Jones impressed versus Swansea, earning high praise from former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic during the match.
The North East outfit were most recently in League Cup action on Wednesday, with a much-changed eleven earning Middlesbrough a 3-0 win over Leeds United.
In turn, Middlesbrough are predicted to beat Derby County when they travel to Pride Park for a 12:30pm BST kick-off on Saturday, August 17th.
Middlesbrough team news for Derby County
Middlesbrough were plagued with injury issues during the previous campaign and some of those problems have continued into 2024/25.
Dael Fry and Darah Leninhan missed the end of 2023/24 with issues and have been sidelined for Boro’s opening two games this term.
Fry is still working his way back to fitness from the same injury that kept him out earlier this year and is expected to miss out against Derby.
As for Leninhan, he has now picked another problem and he too will be out of action this weekend.
Jonny Howson suffered a hamstring injury versus Leeds, ruling him out of the weekend’s game.
There are two new fresh concerns for Boro as well, with Sonny Finch and Law McCabe dealing with minor knocks.
Middlesbrough predicted XI vs Derby County
With Howson out of action, Aidan Morris is likely to keep his place in the centre of Boro’s midfield.
The USA international has shone during his first two starts for the club and big things are expected of him in 2024/25.
With Fry and Leninhan still out, Rav van den Berg and Matt Clarke will keep their places at the heart of Boro’s defence.
Middlesbrough could make a few changes at the top end of the pitch against Derby, however.
Finn Azaz has struggled for form since his move to Boro and Carrick may use this weekend’s game, which comes against weaker opposition, to hand new signing Micah Hamilton his first start.
Elsewhere, after shinning in midweek, Burgzorg could come in on the left in place of Riley McGree.
Here’s how we think Middlesbrough will line up against Derby on Saturday…
Dieng (GK)
Ayling
Van den Berg
Clarke
Engel
Hackney
Morris
Jones
Hamilton
Burgzorg
Latte Lath