Can AFCB take all three points against Middlesbrough?

Written by billythekid

After two away games last week, the most recent was a tough 0-0 encounter with Sheffield United. Our next game is back at Dean Court on Good Friday at 3 pm and former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder brings his Middlesbrough side down from the North East. The Cherries going into this game are unbeaten in their last six games at home and will be out to keep that record intact. After the home defeat against Hull City our home record went like this, WWDWDW, another win on Friday will do nicely with games running out and now 7 games to go.

When we lost at their place last December Chris Wilder’s side were 9th in the Championship table. Wilder since then has kept his side within sight of a play-off position, his side in 8th place with 62 points. Since our game away against Middlesbrough in December, away from home, Chris Wilder’s side have beaten Blackpool, Birmingham City and Peterborough United. Drawn with QPR and Millwall. Lost to Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City, Barnsley and Sheffield United. At home, they have W 6, L 2. They lost their recent home game to another Yorkshire side Hull City 0-1.

The last time Middlesbrough played at our ground was in April last year. Philip Billing opened the scoring in the 14th minute and that was how it remained at half-time. Middlesbrough equalised in the 63rd minute through Duncan Watmore, but three minutes later Jefferson Lerma put the Cherries back in front and Dominic Solanke secured all 3 points with his 83rd-minute goal. It was the start of a six game-winning run with Jonathan Woodgate temporary in charge.

In our home league games against Middlesbrough, AFCB have W 4, D4.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 5, D 8, L 8.

AFCB Team News
Jordan Zemura it seems has a hamstring injury and will miss a few matches or may not play again this season and Scott Parker will have to shuffle his defence. Again it looked like Dominic Solanke was limping at one stage in our recent game but hopefully seemed ok as the game went on.

AFCB Player To Watch
Dominic Solanke will be looking for his 25th league goal this season and has scored in our last three home games. He needs two goals to equal Brett Pitman who scored 26 goals in 46 league games in League 2 in the 2009-10 season. Championship-winning season 2014-15, Callum Wilson scored 20 league goals in 45 league games.

Middlesbrough Team News
Central defender Dael Fry went off with a calf injury in their last game. Isaiah Jones also missed their last game through illness but is expected to be available. Martin Payero another player been out with an injury, but may be available for Friday.

Middlesbrough Player To Watch
Only 22-years-old, but Isaiah Jones has been a key player for Boro this season and leads with 8 assists. Their joint leading scorers are Matt Crooks and Andra Sporar with 8 goals a piece. Central defender Patrick McNair has scored 5 goals with 3 assists.

Man In Charge
Tim Robinson is the referee for this game.
He has been in charge for three of our games this season, Luton at home, Fulham away and the most recent game in February, Stoke City home where he gave a straight red to a Stoke City player.

Your say…

AFCBade wrote…

Not a must-win game and no doubt will be a tough challenge but it feels like one of the remaining games in a challenging run-in that we would be disappointed not to get a win. Would be a big boost after the last couple of games where we have struggled.

Thought Boro were set for play-offs but, surprisingly given their home form, they have lost the last two at home without scoring. Had lots of chances vs Fulham but wasted them. Keeping a clean sheet against them would be timely for us! – Join the conversation, click here.