Middlesbrough are back in Championship action this evening as they welcome top two chasing Leeds United to the Riverside Stadium.
Michael Carrick‘s side will be looking to spoil Leeds’ potential promotion party as the West Yorkshire outfit look to surmount the two-point gap on Ipswich Town, who occupy second place.
The Boro boss will be without Luke Ayling this evening as the loanee is ineligible to play against his parent club.
That could mean a change of shape, with Isaiah Jones operating as a right-wing back in a three-at-the-back system.
It’s set to be a fascinating tactical battle between Carrick and Daniel Farke, with the last meeting producing a five-goal thriller as Leeds picked up a 3-2 victory.
Middlesbrough need to be wary of one former player who will be seeking revenge.
Middlesbrough need to be wary of Patrick Bamford
Riverside Stadium will stage the return of former player Patrick Bamford, who made just shy of 100 appearances for Boro.
Bamford netted 33 times for the Teessiders across two spells, which included a 17-goal campaign that fired the club into the play-offs.
Now at Leeds, he’ll be looking to net against his old club this evening in what could be a pretty hostile return.
Carrick must devise a plan to keep the 30-year-old at bay, as he has proven to be a threat at times this term.
Bamford has only started 14 games but has netted in seven of those, which is a commendable tally.
If allowed time on the ball, he has the tools to link play well and punish the hosts, so Matt Clarke and Rav van den Berg need to be aggressive in their approach to win first balls.
Middlesbrough must finish the season well
Whilst there is nothing riding on tonight’s game, Middlesbrough will still want to end the season strongly to carry over momentum to next season.
They’ve been in fine form of late, avoiding defeat in their last nine games and winning five of those, so they must look to continue that.
The crowd will be in full voice in the penultimate home game of the season and Carrick’s side must produce a performance fans can be proud of.
Boro will need to be at their very best defensively against one of the best attacks in the league but equally, they must recognise their own strengths.
Emmanuel Latte Lath has been on fire recently, netting seven goals in his last nine outings, so the hosts have to be front-footed and deliver him service.