r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again >>>>>>
Welcome everyone.
After a superb victory over Spurs in the FA Cup, its back to the "bread and butter" of the Championship.
Our opponents, Luton Town, gave Chelsea a run for their money in the FA Cup themselves this week.
Chelsea edged it 3-2. The Hatters did a great job on the currently owner-less West London outfit.
Of which, more later >>>>
Fixtures:
Table
Current - Saturday 5th March 2022. 09:08 hrs GMT.
Match Stats:
[https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/ARTIjLHN/#match-summary]
It was a night to remember in midweek as Middlesbrough knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup in front of a sold out Riverside Stadium. That was their second victory against Premier League opponents this term, a far cry from the demoralising 3-2 defeat at Barnsley last weekend. In any case, Middlesbrough are still in the hunt for promotion boosted by their home form which has seen them win seven straight Championship games at the Riverside.
While Boro lost the reverse fixture with Luton, should they improve on their positive seven-game form in home H2Hs (W4, D2, L1) with a win, it would secure Middlesbrough’s longest run of home league wins (eight) since an identical streak back in 1998! Highlighting just how long ago that was, their manager Chris Wilder played for a losing Bradford side during that run as Middlesbrough went on to win promotion.
Not quite as fortunate as their hosts in the FA Cup despite putting up a great fight (L 3-2 vs Chelsea), Luton are also seeking a return to the top flight since their ill-fated 1991/92 relegation campaign. A run of five wins across the last six Championship rounds has seen them move above Middlesbrough into the play-off positions, giving this clash a definite sense of occasion.
Seemingly ignored by the bookmakers despite their rampant form, Luton are now seeking a third straight league win as away betting outsiders. And a win here would be significant in more ways than one, as it would represent a first league double over Middlesbrough since 1962/63, while it would also mean that boss Nathan Jones would finally see a side under his charge score here, after losing his two personal prior managerial Riverside visits without reply.
Players to watch: Matt Crooks marked his return from suspension with an assist last time out. He has now made a goal contribution in four of his last five Middlesbrough appearances (G3, A1). For Luton, Harry Cornick’s goal contributions have been crucial in securing their last two wins as away betting outsiders in the league (G1, A1).
Hot stat: Luton are unbeaten in 58% of their away league games entered as betting outsiders (W4, D3, L5).
Will not play
Ameobi S.
(Injury)
Fisher D.
(Injury)
Payero M.
(Injury)
Bradley S.
(Injury)
Match Preview:
[https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...uton-prediction-team-news-lineups_479727.html]
English
Luton Town make the long trip to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough looking for the win which will keep the club in the Championship playoff places.
However, the Hatters hold just a two-point advantage over their hosts, who have lost two of their last three fixtures in this division.
© Reuters
Given their consistency at the turn of the year, Chris Wilder would not have envisaged his Middlesbrough side failing to record successive league wins across a seven-game period.
Such a run has left Boro sitting outside of the playoff spots by two points, their latest defeat coming at the hands of resurgent Barnsley.
Nevertheless, the North-East outfit shook off that disappointment with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, backing up their success over Manchester United in the previous round.
Progress in that competition is far less of a priority than achieving promotion, but Josh Coburn's extra-time goal has given Boro the boost that they required ahead of this contest.
Although Boro have scored 12 times in six league games, goals from their forwards have been few and far between, potentially giving Coburn a chance to stake his claim ahead of his senior teammates.
© Reuters
Luton were also involved in FA Cup action earlier this week, pushing Chelsea all of the way before eventually succumbing by a 3-2 scoreline at Kenilworth Road.
Despite the frustration of letting a lead slip on two occasions, Nathan Jones will be encouraged by how his players performed against the European and world champions.
Returning to league matters, the Hatters will now attempt to further extend their current impressive run of five wins from six matches, the latest coming by a 1-0 scoreline against Derby County.
Danny Hylton has now scored in two successive Championship matches, and Luton head into this contest knowing that victory could take them above fourth-placed Blackburn Rovers, who travel to leaders Fulham, on goal difference.
Jones's side have won four of their last six league fixtures away from home, a vast improvement on just two victories coming from the previous 10 outings.
Middlesbrough Championship form:
Luton Town Championship form:
© Reuters
Middlesbrough youngster Coburn could be handed just his third league start of the season, potentially in place of Andraz Sporar.
James Lea Siliki may bring fresh legs to a midfield which saw two players complete 120 minutes on Tuesday evening and a third withdrawn after 118 minutes.
Sol Bamba is also an option if Wilder chooses to add another new face to the team.
Young goalkeeper Harry Isted is in line to deputise for Jed Steer, who sustained an Achilles injury against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Henri Lansbury and Elijah Adebayo may come back into the team after missing the fixture with the Premier League giants through injury.
James Bree and Hylton should also be among the players to feature after dropping to the substitutes' bench in midweek.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Djiksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Siliki, Taylor; Watmore, Coburn
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Isted; Burke, Lockyer, Naismith; Bree, Campbell, Osho, Lansbury, Bell; Cornick, Adebayo
Welcome everyone.
After a superb victory over Spurs in the FA Cup, its back to the "bread and butter" of the Championship.
Our opponents, Luton Town, gave Chelsea a run for their money in the FA Cup themselves this week.
Chelsea edged it 3-2. The Hatters did a great job on the currently owner-less West London outfit.
Of which, more later >>>>
Fixtures:
Table
Current - Saturday 5th March 2022. 09:08 hrs GMT.
Match Stats:
[https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/ARTIjLHN/#match-summary]
It was a night to remember in midweek as Middlesbrough knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup in front of a sold out Riverside Stadium. That was their second victory against Premier League opponents this term, a far cry from the demoralising 3-2 defeat at Barnsley last weekend. In any case, Middlesbrough are still in the hunt for promotion boosted by their home form which has seen them win seven straight Championship games at the Riverside.
While Boro lost the reverse fixture with Luton, should they improve on their positive seven-game form in home H2Hs (W4, D2, L1) with a win, it would secure Middlesbrough’s longest run of home league wins (eight) since an identical streak back in 1998! Highlighting just how long ago that was, their manager Chris Wilder played for a losing Bradford side during that run as Middlesbrough went on to win promotion.
Not quite as fortunate as their hosts in the FA Cup despite putting up a great fight (L 3-2 vs Chelsea), Luton are also seeking a return to the top flight since their ill-fated 1991/92 relegation campaign. A run of five wins across the last six Championship rounds has seen them move above Middlesbrough into the play-off positions, giving this clash a definite sense of occasion.
Seemingly ignored by the bookmakers despite their rampant form, Luton are now seeking a third straight league win as away betting outsiders. And a win here would be significant in more ways than one, as it would represent a first league double over Middlesbrough since 1962/63, while it would also mean that boss Nathan Jones would finally see a side under his charge score here, after losing his two personal prior managerial Riverside visits without reply.
Players to watch: Matt Crooks marked his return from suspension with an assist last time out. He has now made a goal contribution in four of his last five Middlesbrough appearances (G3, A1). For Luton, Harry Cornick’s goal contributions have been crucial in securing their last two wins as away betting outsiders in the league (G1, A1).
Hot stat: Luton are unbeaten in 58% of their away league games entered as betting outsiders (W4, D3, L5).
Will not play
Ameobi S.
(Injury)
Fisher D.
(Injury)
Payero M.
(Injury)
Bradley S.
(Injury)
Match Preview:
[https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...uton-prediction-team-news-lineups_479727.html]
Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups
By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 19h
Luton Town make the long trip to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough looking for the win which will keep the club in the Championship playoff places.
However, the Hatters hold just a two-point advantage over their hosts, who have lost two of their last three fixtures in this division.
Match preview
Given their consistency at the turn of the year, Chris Wilder would not have envisaged his Middlesbrough side failing to record successive league wins across a seven-game period.
Such a run has left Boro sitting outside of the playoff spots by two points, their latest defeat coming at the hands of resurgent Barnsley.
Nevertheless, the North-East outfit shook off that disappointment with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, backing up their success over Manchester United in the previous round.
Progress in that competition is far less of a priority than achieving promotion, but Josh Coburn's extra-time goal has given Boro the boost that they required ahead of this contest.
Although Boro have scored 12 times in six league games, goals from their forwards have been few and far between, potentially giving Coburn a chance to stake his claim ahead of his senior teammates.
Luton were also involved in FA Cup action earlier this week, pushing Chelsea all of the way before eventually succumbing by a 3-2 scoreline at Kenilworth Road.
Despite the frustration of letting a lead slip on two occasions, Nathan Jones will be encouraged by how his players performed against the European and world champions.
Returning to league matters, the Hatters will now attempt to further extend their current impressive run of five wins from six matches, the latest coming by a 1-0 scoreline against Derby County.
Danny Hylton has now scored in two successive Championship matches, and Luton head into this contest knowing that victory could take them above fourth-placed Blackburn Rovers, who travel to leaders Fulham, on goal difference.
Jones's side have won four of their last six league fixtures away from home, a vast improvement on just two victories coming from the previous 10 outings.
Middlesbrough Championship form:
- W
- D
- W
- L
- W
- L
Luton Town Championship form:
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
Team News
Middlesbrough youngster Coburn could be handed just his third league start of the season, potentially in place of Andraz Sporar.
James Lea Siliki may bring fresh legs to a midfield which saw two players complete 120 minutes on Tuesday evening and a third withdrawn after 118 minutes.
Sol Bamba is also an option if Wilder chooses to add another new face to the team.
Young goalkeeper Harry Isted is in line to deputise for Jed Steer, who sustained an Achilles injury against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Henri Lansbury and Elijah Adebayo may come back into the team after missing the fixture with the Premier League giants through injury.
James Bree and Hylton should also be among the players to feature after dropping to the substitutes' bench in midweek.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Djiksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Siliki, Taylor; Watmore, Coburn
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Isted; Burke, Lockyer, Naismith; Bree, Campbell, Osho, Lansbury, Bell; Cornick, Adebayo
We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Luton Town
With both teams producing fine efforts in the FA Cup, they may struggle to replicate those performances during this contest. There is an argument that this is a true 50-50 contest, but the extra rest and home advantage could prove pivotal for Boro, and we are backing a narrow victory for the North-East outfit.
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