Middlesbrough host Millwall in a huge Sky Bet Championship clash in the scrap for automatic promotion.
Victory would see Middlesbrough stay second and move four points clear of the Lions, whilst Millwall can leapfrog their hosts into second with a win.
Team News
Riley McGree and Aidan Morris face fitness checks upon their return from international duty for Australia and USA, meaning that both players are doubts for Middlesbrough.
Hayden Hackney (calf), Morgan Whittaker (knock) and Sammy Silvera (foot) face late fitness checks, but Alfie Jones (ankle) and Darragh Lenihan (Achilles) remain ruled out.
Millwall have no fresh injury concerns to report but Casper De Norre (groin), Alfie Doughty (calf) and Ryan Leonard (leg) face late fitness checks, having resumed training in the international break.
Lukas Jensen (Achilles), Dan Kelly (hamstring), Joe Bryan (toe), Benicio Boaitey-Baker (groin) and Massimo Luongo (knee), remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Millwall on Friday 3 April at 12:30pm GMT, live on ITV1, ITVX and Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have avoided defeat in six of their last nine meetings against Millwall (W4, D2, L3).
- Millwall have won just one of their last nine visits to Middlesbrough (W1, D3, L5).
- Each of Middlesbrough’s last three home games against Millwall ended in 1-0 results, of which Boro claimed two wins to the Lions’ single win.
- Middlesbrough are winless in their last four home matches (D3, L1).
- Josh Coburn has scored in both of Millwall’s last two away matches (W1, D1).
Prediction
Having lacked a crucial cutting edge to beat Blackburn away before the international break in their goalless draw, Boro now need to reset because promotion is currently in their own hands and this is a chance to put the pressure on their rivals given that Ipswich aren’t in action if can produce a clinical display.
Millwall though are no pushovers as demonstrated by a gritty draw at Ipswich a fortnight ago and know that defeat would realistically make automatic promotion a tough ask, so I expect them to try and at least grind out a draw if can’t find a win given their poor away record at Boro.
Either way, this is a tough game if factor in the early Friday lunchtime kick-off slot after the international break so the first goal is going to be important, but I expect a difficult scrap between two strong teams so a draw might be the best outcome from Millwall’s view.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Millwall
Result: Middlesbrough 1-2 Millwall
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