Welcome to probably the most important weekend - so far - this season. After two disappointing home games, fans could be forgiven for feeling a little wary of the prospect of facing two top sides, vying for promotion - in the space of four days. But like Chris Wilder said today - we have already gone toe-to-toe with Bournemouth at Home [18th December] and Huddersfield away [27th November].
What`s happened to Middlesbrough under Wilder since has been a gradual rise in consistency and confidence amongst the team and higher expectations by the fans. OK, the last two results aside - we have had some "tricky victories" [Chris Wilder] away at Blackpool, Forest, Manchester United, Mansfield, QPR, Birmingham City and Peterborough. We`ve only been thrashed once - at Sheffield United and didnt turn up at Barnsley.
Its not been a perfect season or anywhere near, but we only have to go back to the 8th of November [not long after bonfire night] to see where Chris Wilder started. We still have players from the previous regime and before - some who haven`t touched a ball or pulled on the shirt - some who may be on their way in a few weeks time and others who may not be of the required standard, but are never the less in the squad. So lets not despair. Lets focus on the next 6 Cup Finals - Chris Wilder said today that even if we lose one or two - its not impossible that we will still be in the play-off mix.
Its the Boro we are talking about - but this Manager is not a "Stop-gap", a "Fire-fighter", a "Caretaker" or holding on till the next one comes along: he and his Management Team have a vision and plans A, B and C in place. They have set short/medium and long term objectives. He`s previously taken teams from the Conference into the league, hes got teams promoted that no-one would have even thought of, and hes taken a team who were 12th in the Third Tier of English Football in to the Premiership. In the latter case he had players, who continued to play for him as they rose through the leagues - eventually facing Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and the rest.
The only thing stopping us achieving victory on the south - coast is ourselves.
Yet another sell - out crowd: a round trip of 1042 Kilometers, or [in English money] 648 miles!
For those travelling from the Boro that`s a bloody long way!
But our supporters live all over the country - its hard getting tickets these days - a testament to the renewed enthusiasm, expectation and excitement amongst us fans, around the club and in Chris Wilder.
While second-placed Bournemouth earned a ‘big point’ in a goalless draw with Sheffield United at the weekend, they remained without a goal in 189 minutes of play as a result (D1, L1). With the chasing pack now closing in, Bournemouth will aim for a positive result to begin the Easter weekend against play-off chasing Middlesbrough, a side they’ve beaten by a 2+ goal margin in each of the last four home H2Hs.
That trend could well continue as Bournemouth head into this clash protecting a six-game unbeaten run of home games (W4, D2). Testament to their fighting spirit, Bournemouth have avoided defeat after conceding first in three of their last five home games, whilst they’ve averaged a second-league high 1.43 points per game when doing so at home this season (W3, D1, L3).
It’s still too early to say that the wheels have come off Middlesbrough’s play-off push as they sit three points adrift with a game in hand, though a 1-0 home defeat to Hull made it bruising back-to-back defeats for the Teessiders. Boss Chris Wilder blasted goalkeeper Joe Lumley in the aftermath, stating "I've protected Joe, but that's a mistake”, possibly hinting at a change.
There have been no such defensive woes on the road of late at least, as Boro have kept three straight away clean sheets (W2, D1), their longest run of away shutouts since a four-game streak on route to promotion in 2015/16! This is a much tougher assignment though, as Middlesbrough’s only away H2H win was a 2-1 success way back in 1991.
Players to watch: Dominic Solanke has contributed to Bournemouth’s team opening goal in each of their last five home games (G4, A1). Meanwhile, Middlesbrough’s Matty Crooks walks a fine line from now until the end of the season, as he is the Championship’s joint-most booked player (14) and one more will see him slapped with a three-match ban.
Hot stat: Only two sides boast a stronger W/D rate as away league outsiders than Middlesbrough’s 70% (W2, D5, L3).
Bournemouth have more to worry about their injured palyers than Boro: Two of ours havent played all season and Payero has been out for some time - although he is getting an outing in the U23`s this week [Chris Wilder]
AFC Bournemouth suffered a second straight defeat as they went down 1-0 to Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors were made to pay for a number of missed chances in the first half on a chilly afternoon on Teesside, as Andraz Sporar’s controversial second-half penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Scott Parker made four changes to the side that lost to Blackburn Rovers last week, with Lloyd Kelly and Jordan Zemura restored to the starting line up following long injury lay offs. Philip Billing also returned after missing last week’s defeat with a knee issue, while Gavin Kilkenny replaced Ben Pearson in midfield.
The hosts started quickest and might have gone in front after five minutes when Marcus Tavernier latched onto a low cross from the right, but he shot straight at Mark Travers who blocked well.
The Cherries settled shortly after and gradually began to enjoy the lion’s share of possession. Ryan Christie had their first sight of goal after 21 minutes, but his side footed effort from 15 yards curled narrowly wide.
Jaidon Anthony nearly went one better on the half hour mark as he picked up a wayward pass from home captain Jonny Howson on the edge of the box, cut inside Dael Fry and shot low, but the ball flashed inches wide.
Christie was involved again moments later, finding space on the right and picking out Dom Solanke at the back post, but the frontman’s header bounced just wide.
As the half drifted into its latter stages, Boro nearly found themselves in front as the lively Isaiah Jones cut inside from the right flank and shot from the edge of the box, but Travers reacted well again to palm away the winger’s low, deflected effort.
The best chance of the half fell to Christie on the stroke of the whistle, who looked certain to score as he stole in at the back post to meet Philip Billing’s cross. However the Scot, off balance as he met the ball, could only scuff into the ground and over the bar.
Boro were quickest out of the blocks in the second half and came close to breaking the deadlock early on as Jones slipped a neat ball through to Andraz Sporar who shot low, but Travers was again on hand to save – making himself big and blocking well from close range.
Jones was in the thick of the action again as the hosts took the lead on 53 minutes. The winger dispossessed Jaidon Anthony on the halfway and powered all the way into the box and went down under Anthony’s challenge to win a penalty.
It did look as though Jones was already on his way down prior to Anthony's challenge, but after some hesitation by referee Chris Kavanagh, he pointed to the spot.
Slovenian Sporar stepped up to get the better of Travers, firing low into the bottom corner.
Despite settling again after conceding, the Cherries struggled to break down a stout home defence and it was Sporar who went closest to grabbing a second for the hosts on 75 minutes, as he hit a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box which Travers brilliantly tipped over the bar.
Substitute Jamal Lowe did have a late chance for the Cherries, when he got in behind the backline at an acute angle, but a big leg from Joe Lumley was enough to give the hosts a 1-0 win.
Bournemouth will be looking to give their hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship a huge boost when they welcome Middlesbrough for a mouthwatering contest on Friday afternoon.
The Cherries are currently second in the table, four points ahead of third-placed Huddersfield Town with two matches in hand, while Boro sit eighth, three points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United.
Scott Parker has a smart suit but that wont impress the Boro boys on tour!
The Cherries are in a strong position to secure a return to the Premier League, though, as they sit second in the table, four points ahead of third-placed Huddersfield with two games in hand, so a victory on Friday would put them in a strong position heading into their final six matches.
Scott Parker's side have the fourth-best home record in the Championship this season, picking up 38 points from 19 matches, and they will be welcoming a Boro side that have found it difficult to show consistency on their travels, collecting 24 points from 20 matches.
Bournemouth actually lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium earlier this term, but they recorded a 3-1 victory when the pair locked horns in the corresponding match last season, and Parker's team will be eyeing another huge three points ahead of a busy end to the month.
Indeed, the Cherries still have Boro, Coventry City, Fulham, Swansea City and Blackburn Rovers to face before the end of April, while they will take on Nottingham Forest and Millwall in back-to-back home fixtures in May.
Chris Wilder's side remain very much in the playoff mix at this stage of the campaign, though, sitting eighth in the table, just three points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United with one game in hand.
Boro have a huge game at home to Huddersfield on April 18, and the fact that three of their next four league matches after this one are at the Riverside Stadium should help them.
Indeed, Wilder's team have the sixth-best home record in the Championship this term, with only Blackburn Rovers (41), Fulham (40) and Millwall (39) collecting more points in front of their own supporters.
Absent from the Premier League since the 2016-17 campaign, Boro will not be able to claim an automatic promotion spot this term, but they would be a very dangerous proposition for any team in the playoffs.
Dominic Solanke has scored 24 Championship goals this season and will again lead the line, while the midfield three should remain unchanged, with Jefferson Lerma being joined by Lewis Cook and Philip Billing.
As for Middlesbrough, Dael Fry will miss the match through injury, which is likely to open the door for the experienced Sol Bamba to feature in the middle of the defence. Neil Taylor and Isaiah Jones are also fitness doubts for the visitors, who are set to continue in a 3-5-2 formation, with Aaron Connolly featuring in the final third of the field. Duncan Watmore and Josh Coburn are also pushing for starting roles, having featured off the bench in the defeat to Hull last time out, but Folarin Balogun should retain his spot in the XI.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Smith, Phillips, Kelly, Brady; Billing, Cook, Lerma; Christie, Solanke, Anthony
This is a huge match for both sides, and it is set to be a fascinating battle on Friday afternoon. Middlesbrough will fancy their chances of causing problems in the final third of the field, but Bournemouth look destined for a return to the Premier League, and we are expecting the Cherries to edge a close contest.
After two away games last week, the most recent 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 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.
All competitions, AFCB have W 5, D 8, L 8.
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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.
Bournemouth will be looking to give their hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship a huge boost when they welcome Middlesbrough for a mouthwatering contest on Friday afternoon.
The Cherries are currently second in the table, four points ahead of third-placed Huddersfield Town with two matches in hand, while Boro sit eighth, three points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United.
Scott Parker has a smart suit but that wont impress the Boro boys on tour!
The Cherries are in a strong position to secure a return to the Premier League, though, as they sit second in the table, four points ahead of third-placed Huddersfield with two games in hand, so a victory on Friday would put them in a strong position heading into their final six matches.
Scott Parker's side have the fourth-best home record in the Championship this season, picking up 38 points from 19 matches, and they will be welcoming a Boro side that have found it difficult to show consistency on their travels, collecting 24 points from 20 matches.
Bournemouth actually lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium earlier this term, but they recorded a 3-1 victory when the pair locked horns in the corresponding match last season, and Parker's team will be eyeing another huge three points ahead of a busy end to the month.
Indeed, the Cherries still have Boro, Coventry City, Fulham, Swansea City and Blackburn Rovers to face before the end of April, while they will take on Nottingham Forest and Millwall in back-to-back home fixtures in May.
Chris Wilder's side remain very much in the playoff mix at this stage of the campaign, though, sitting eighth in the table, just three points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United with one game in hand.
Boro have a huge game at home to Huddersfield on April 18, and the fact that three of their next four league matches after this one are at the Riverside Stadium should help them.
Indeed, Wilder's team have the sixth-best home record in the Championship this term, with only Blackburn Rovers (41), Fulham (40) and Millwall (39) collecting more points in front of their own supporters.
Absent from the Premier League since the 2016-17 campaign, Boro will not be able to claim an automatic promotion spot this term, but they would be a very dangerous proposition for any team in the playoffs.
Dominic Solanke has scored 24 Championship goals this season and will again lead the line, while the midfield three should remain unchanged, with Jefferson Lerma being joined by Lewis Cook and Philip Billing.
As for Middlesbrough, Dael Fry will miss the match through injury, which is likely to open the door for the experienced Sol Bamba to feature in the middle of the defence. View attachment 37301 Neil Taylor and Isaiah Jones are also fitness doubts for the visitors, who are set to continue in a 3-5-2 formation, with Aaron Connolly featuring in the final third of the field. View attachment 37302View attachment 37303 Duncan Watmore and Josh Coburn are also pushing for starting roles, having featured off the bench in the defeat to Hull last time out, but Folarin Balogun should retain his spot in the XI.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Smith, Phillips, Kelly, Brady; Billing, Cook, Lerma; Christie, Solanke, Anthony
This is a huge match for both sides, and it is set to be a fascinating battle on Friday afternoon. Middlesbrough will fancy their chances of causing problems in the final third of the field, but Bournemouth look destined for a return to the Premier League, and we are expecting the Cherries to edge a close contest.
Championship Fixtures:
