Prediction: Middlesbrough to win 2-0
Best Odds: 15/2
Middlesbrough and Millwall will lock horns with each other in the Championship this coming weekend. The match between Michael Carrick’s side and Gary Rowett’s team will be held at the Riverside Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 3pm UK time on Monday. Both Middlesbrough and Millwall have aspirations of ending up in the top six of the Championship table this season, and the two teams will be determined to kick off the new campaign on a positive note.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are one of the biggest clubs in England who have played in the Premier League before. Boro came close to getting promoted from the Championship at the end of last season, and Michael Carrick’s side will be determined to get the job done this time around.
Boro finished as high as fourth in the Championship table last season. They picked up 75 points from 46 matches. Middlesbrough were expected to go via the playoffs, but they lost to Coventry City over two legs in the playoff semi-finals. Boro played out a goalless draw with Coventry away from home and then lost the second leg 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough have been quite busy in the summer transfer window. Boro have signed goalkeeper Seny Dieng from Queens Park Rangers, while goalkeepers Tom Glover and Jamie Jones have arrived on free transfers. Winger Alex Gilbert has also moved to Michael Carrick’s side on a free transfer this summer. Boro have signed centre-back Rav van den Berg as well this summer.
Team News:
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick is likely to include Seny Dieng in goal for the Championship match against Millwall this weekend. Jonny Howson should start in midfield, while Paddy McNair will be in defence. Matt Crooks could start as well, while Chuba Akpom will lead the line.
Millwall
Millwall are a big club in the Championship who tend to challenge for the playoffs. Things have not been particularly great for The Lions in recent years, but there is now renewed hope that they will do well this campaign. Millwall came agonisingly close to the playoffs last season, and manager Gary Rowett will be keen on getting the job done this time around.
The Lions finished as high as eighth in the Championship table last season. Millwall picked up 68 points from 46 matches and finished just a point behind Sunderland, who ended up sixth and headed into the playoffs. Millwall will have been bitterly disappointed that they could not finish in the top six on the final day of the season. They were 3-1 up against Blackburn Rovers at half time at home, but they lost the match 4-3.
Millwall have been quite busy in the summer transfer window so far. They have signed central midfielder Casper De Norre from OH Leuven and centre-forward Kevin Nisbet from Hibernian, while left-back Joe Bryan and right-back Wes Harding have arrived on a free transfers.
Team News:
Millwall will have Joe Bryan starting at left-back. Kevin Nisbet should start in attack. Shaun Hutchinson and Jake Cooper are likely to start at the back.
Key Factors to Consider
- Middlesbrough won 2 of their 7 pre-season friendly games.
- Middlesbrough scored 9 goals in 7 pre-season friendly games.
- Middlesbrough conceded 8 goals in 7 pre-season friendly games.
- Millwall won 2 of their 4 pre-season friendly matches.
- Millwall scored 8 goals and conceded 3 goals in 4 pre-season friendly matches.
Conclusion
Middlesbrough have a better team than Millwall and are also at home. It is hard to see Millwall pick up a win against one of the strong favourites for automatic promotion to the Premier League in their own backyard. While Middlesbrough are not going to find it easy to beat The Lions, they should get the job done in the end.
Prediction: Middlesbrough to win 2-0
Best Odds: 15/2
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