Middlesbrough have enjoyed an excellent term and they will be pleased to have ensured their place in the playoffs before the final day of the season. Tony Pulis will be looking forward to preparing his team for their chance of Premier League football.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town also have very little to play for and therefore, both teams will be playing for the pride of the victory in this game.
Team News
Rudy Gestede is still out but the rest of the Boro squad is injury-free.
Manager: Tony Pulis
Formation: 4-3-3
Darren Randolph (GK)
The 30-year-old played an excellent game against Millwall and has been in good form for Middlesbrough this season.
Ryan Shotton (RB)
Shotton is always solid at the back and hard into a tackle. Wins a lot of his aerial duels.
Daniel Ayala (CB)
Ayala has been brilliant for Middlesbrough this year. He defends well and is also a threat at the other end.
Ben Gibson (CB)
Gibson has formed an excellent partnership with Ayala at the back and the duo has helped maintain 15 clean sheets in the Championship this season.
George Friend (LB)
Friend brings a great balance to the left side of the Middlesbrough defence. He is dominant in the air and tackles well.
Muhamed Besic (CM)
The cultured central midfielder has not played many games for Middlesbrough this season, but he has occupied an important role in the last few games. Excellent on the ball and a very good tackler.
Adam Clayton (CM)
Clayton enjoyed a good game against Millwall. Pulis’ teams pride themselves on defensive stability, and with Clayton and Besic in the middle, they concede very few goals.
Jonny Howson (CM)
Howson was excellent against Millwall and grabbed a good goal for his team. He is allowed the freedom to get further forward and he did that to aplomb last time out.
Stewart Downing (LW)
The experienced attacking midfielder has not had the best of seasons for Middlesbrough but he will be looking to put in a good performance to prove he still has it.
Adama Traore (RW)
Traore always looks a class above in the Championship. His lung-busting runs creativity can work wonders for Middlesbrough.
Britt Assombalonga (ST)
Assombalonga scored two goals in his last two games and is currently keeping Bamford out of the team. Strong and pacey, he is always a handful for the opposition defenders.