Predicted Middlesbrough Lineup To Face Burton Albion In EFL Championship
All-in-all, you would find it hard to say that much vaunted Middlesbrough’s start this season has been good. A defeat against Wolves was followed up by a narrow win against Sheffield United and that has made it hard to judge them.
There is no shame in losing to Wolves and as for the Blades game – a win is a win. Nothing will be solved after this coming 90 minutes either, with the Brewers fairly weak beforehand, and now without the influential Jackson Irvine through suspension.
Boro, therefore, see a win as an absolute minimum here and a high scoring one would be the desired result, something that Garry Monk may achieve with the following 4-3-3:
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Garry Monk
GK – Darren Randolph
Not Monk’s first choice signing for this position over the summer, but a solid enough ‘keeper nonetheless.
RB – Cyrus Christie
Rated as one of the best right-backs in the league, Christie should prove to be crucial as the season wears on.
CB – Dael Fry
The 19-year-old local lad is the latest off the conveyor belt at the Riverside and may play again here.
CB – Ben Gibson
We all await more bids from Premier League clubs, with interest, before the summer transfer window closes. However, for now, he remains a crucial part of this team.
LB – George Friend
A solid left-back who keeps this defence looking nicely balanced from right to left.
RM – Jonny Howson
The ex-Leeds and Norwich man is recognised as being one of the better players at this level and may prove crucial to Boro’s chances of promotion.
CM – Adam Clayton
Quietly had a pretty solid season in the Premier League last year and deserves another crack at promotion.
LM – Adam Forshaw
Another player with more quality than his reputation allows for, though I’m not certain if this formation is right for him.
RW – Patrick Bamford
Starting to look like more of a journeyman than Premier League star now, Bamford needs a big season to cement his reputation.
LW – Rudy Gestede
With the likes of Fletcher in the squad now, Gestede starting last time was perhaps a slight surprise but having scored the winning goal against Sheffield United, it will be no surprise to see him being given another chance in the starting XI.
ST – Britt Assombalonga
Carrying the responsibility of scoring goals and a heavy price tag, Assombalonga has a big reputation to keep up and he hasn’t started quite the way he would have wanted to.