Predicted Middlesbrough Line-up To Face Reading In EFL Championship

Middlesbrough are in shocking form right now given the squad they have at their disposal and looking from the outside, it’s hard to know why things have gone so wrong at the Riverside.

A run of 6 games without a win, 5 of them in the Championship, have put their automatic promotion chances in huge danger and a further delve into the transfer market in January looks very likely. For now though, Garry Monk is likely to go with his usual 4-2-3-1 formation here using the following XI:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Garry Monk

GK – Darren Randolph

Should come back in after being rested at Bournemouth in the league cup the other night.

RB – Cyrus Christie

Another player who was rested in midweek, Christie will be required to be on top form here if Boro are to make an impact going forward down the right.

CB – Daniel Ayala

Should keep his league partnership with Ben Gibson intact and to be fair, Boro’s problems aren’t really connected with this area.

CB – Ben Gibson

The England hopeful still wants a Premier League move but will have to continue to earn it by organising this team to the best of his ability.

LB – Fabio

Appears to be preferred in this position by Monk, though Friend will be knocking at the door very soon.

CM – Jonny Howson

The former Leeds man possesses plenty of ability on the ball, and is good going forward. So Monk may well have to take the shackles off.

CM – Grant Leadbitter

Forshaw and Clayton will be asking for league starts for certain but for now, it seems Leadbitter is there to stay.

RW – Patrick Bamford

You feel Stewart Downing will make way soon for Bamford on this side of the pitch.

CAM – Martin Braithwaite

Boro are not getting the best out of their forwards this season, perhaps by overcrowding the position and forcing them together in unsuitable formations. Braithwaite is included and remains of sufficient ability to make an impact.

LW – Ashley Fletcher

Should really be at a club where he can play in the No.9 position each week and hone his skills, something which is not happening here.

ST – Britt Assombalonga

The former Nottingham Forest man will not be shifted out of this side arguably because of his huge transfer fee and reputation. Should he not hit the heights in the next few games, I for one would be tempted to send Fletcher up front to this position and give him a proper chance to shine.