Middlesbrough welcome Chris Wilder’s former club – Sheffield United to Riverside Stadium in a stand-out Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory would see Boro climb into the top half of the table, whereas Sheffield Utd could go as high as third with a win if Blackburn lose heavily elsewhere.
Team News
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report after Wednesday’s Carabao Cup loss to Barnsley as Josh Coburn is ruled out with a knee injury, which he suffered prior to their defeat at QPR last weekend.
New signings, Matthew Hoppe and Alex Mowatt will be available for selection as will Darragh Lenihan who was absent in midweek, due to an one match ban following his red card at QPR last weekend.
Sheffield Utd could welcome Oli McBurnie back from a lengthy foot injury if he is fit enough to feature for the senior team, having played for the Under-21s earlier this week.
Chris Basham (hamstring) is a doubt but Adam Davies, Jack O’Connell, Jayden Bogle (all knee) and Enda Stevens (calf) all remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won two of their last five meetings against Sheffield Utd (W2, L3).
- Sheffield Utd have claimed just one point from their last five visits to Middlesbrough (D1, L4), albeit without scoring in those five clashes and conceded seven goals in last four trips.
- Boro’s Matt Crooks was yellow carded in both meetings against the Blades last season.
- Anything less than a win would see Boro go their first three league matches of a new season without victory for the first time since the start of 2020-21 season.
- None of Sheffield Utd’s strikers have played every minute of their two league matches so far this season.
Prediction
Following a first-half horror show at QPR last weekend which ultimately saw them fall to defeat, Boro again looked toothless in their midweek Carabao Cup loss to Barnsley because they lacked a strong final touch amidst dominance on the ball and player rotation.
Chris Wilder therefore will surely be hoping that his regulars are fresh because a response is certainly required if they want to fight for promotion, otherwise this could be a tricky season until they find some form to build upon.
Sheffield Utd meanwhile were also narrowly knocked out of the Carabao Cup in midweek amidst poor finishing at West Brom, so they too need to make improvement here if they’re to bounce back as that is two consecutive away trips they have lost this season in all competitions.
The first goal therefore will be key because if Boro get their noses in front like they did in their last league match at home, they surely will gain extra motivation to go for the win, whereas Sheffield Utd will certainly look to extend their lead if they score first.
Utd though has struggled at the Riverside Stadium in recent meetings and with both teams not in fine form, I can see a score draw here.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Sheffield United
Result: Middlesbrough 2-2 Sheffield United