At the end of the previous season, Burnley’s team joyfully celebrated on the Riverside pitch as they secured promotion to the Premier League with a victory over Middlesbrough. Fast forward a year, and while Leeds United won’t be securing top-flight football when they face off against Middlesbrough this evening, Daniel Farke and his players could be marking their return to the top two with a win on Teesside.
Middlesbrough’s goal in this second-to-last home game is to avoid once again being the venue for an opponent’s celebration. While a play-off spot is still technically within reach, Boro find themselves nine points behind sixth-placed Norwich, with only nine points left to play for.
It’s clear that Middlesbrough’s chances for promotion are slim, but Leeds’ fate still hangs in the balance. With a fierce rivalry between the two clubs, tonight’s match is sure to be intense.
Michael Carrick, Boro’s manager, acknowledged Burnley’s celebrations from the previous season but emphasized the importance of focusing on their own performance and goals for the season’s end.
Despite the slim chances of promotion, Boro enters tonight’s game in good form, having been unbeaten in their last nine matches. Carrick aims to finish the season strong and build on the positive momentum his team has gathered.
Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood will be sidelined against their parent club, which may prompt Carrick to consider a formation change to a back five with Isaiah Jones and Lukas Engel operating as wing-backs.
Potential Middlesbrough lineup:
Dieng; Jones, van den Berg, Howson, Clarke, Engel; Barlaser, O’Brien; Azaz, Latte Lath, Silvera.
