Middlesbrough v Barnsley Preview

At the start of the season nobody could have imagined these two sides sat so close to each other in the table, with Middlesbrough tipped as clear promotion favorites while Barnsley were seen as a side who would struggle. However, as we approach this fixture just two places separate the two clubs, with Boro sat in 18th place while the Tykes are positioned in 16th.

Middlesbrough’s season may have been something of a disaster, yet the Riverside outfit at least seem to be ending the campaign in positive style. Tony Mowbray’s men actually approach this game with some of the best form in the division, having not lost in their last six and put together a run that has seen them collect twelve points from a possible eighteen. That has seemingly dispelled their relegation fears and while they haven’t yet reached the magic fifty point barrier, with five games left it does seem something of a foregone conclusion. Of course, Mowbray’s aim now will be to analyze his squad and prepare for a much more successful next campaign. However, with rumors of the club struggling financially, it remains to be seen how much power Mowbary will have in the transfer market.

Barnsley on the other hand appear to be safe from relegation now, with the Tykes thirteen points clear of the bottom three having accumulated fifty points. With five games remaining, that is certainly a very good achievement for the club who were tipped as serious candidates for the drop at the start of the campaign. However, it would be fair to say that most of the work was done in the opening stages of the season as the club approach this encounter with some disastrous form behind them. Having lost three out of their last four and only won two out of twelve, Mark Robins has come in for some recent criticism. Despite this, supporters were actually very complimentary about their side following the recent 1-0 defeat to QPR, with many praising the Tykes’ attacking style.

As for team news, Middlesbrough have been hit by several injuries recently and Tony Mowbray will approach this encounter without the likes of Seb Hines and Merouane Zemmama who are struggling with jaw and hamstring problems respectively. What’s more, influential striker Marvin Emnes will sit this one out as well as he serves a suspension. Barnsley meanwhile don’t have much to report although Hugo Colace is hopeful of a starting place after shaking off a knee problem. However, following the Tykes’ performance in their last outing, it would not be a surprise if Mark Robins keeps his side unchanged.

In terms of a prediction, we think Middlesbrough will prove to be too strong for their opponents here. Boro have put together some very good form over the past few weeks and with Barnsley struggling somewhat, our prediction will be a comfortable 2-0 victory for the home outfit.

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Middlesbrough v Preston Preview

Posted on January 22nd, 2011 in English Championship

At the start of the season not one person would have seen this as a potential relegation clash although at the moment, that’s exactly what it is. Despite investing vast amounts of money in the playing squad, Middlesbrough are still looking over their shoulder as they sit in 19th position. The visitors meanwhile have even bigger problems and having accumulated just twenty points so far, Preston sit right at the foot of the table, seven points from safety.

Middlesbrough’s season has been simply extraordinary and if there ever was an example of large transfer activity not solving problems, this is it. Boro’s multi-million pound squad simply haven’t gelled and after being tipped as clear favorites for the Championship, it now looks as though the Riverside outfit will have to be contempt with a mid-table position at the absolute best. For now though, the job is to get away from the relegation zone. Tony Mowbray’s men are currently four points away from the drop zone although if they can continue their recent good form, they should be able to extend that margin very quickly. Ignoring a shock 2-1 defeat to Burton in the Cup, Boro are now unbeaten in four and they approach this fixture having thrashed Bristol City 4-0 at Ashton Gate in their last game. That should give them a huge amount of confidence and if they can add to recent results, it may, considering the talent on their books, be possible to launch an ambitious playoff bid.

Some would say that Middlesbrough’s position is false considering some of their players, but Preston on the other hand are in all sorts of problems. Having taken over from Darren Ferguson a few weeks ago, Phil Brown has an almighty job on his hands as he aims to stop the rot and keep the Deepdale outfit in the division. Brown has overseen two games since taking charge and while he is yet to experience victory, he did see his side find tremendous spirit and grab a last minute equalizer against Leicester in their last outing. However, despite the extra point, the Lilywhites are still at the foot of the table and it’s going to take a tremendous run of results for them to stay in the division

Doncaster v Middlesbrough Preview

This is certainly a fixture that features little versus large although there’s no getting away from the fact that Doncaster are the more shrewdly managed club at the moment. Despite possessing finances that are just a fraction of their opponents, Rovers are sat in a comfortable 16th position while Middlesbrough have been fighting down at the bottom all season and are in 21st.

Like most sides in the division, Doncaster have experienced something of a rollercoaster campaign and while they were in the top six just a couple of weeks ago, Rovers have now slid down to 16th following some poor results. Sean O’Driscoll may well be slightly concerned with his sides poor after the Keepmoat outfit were thrashed 5-1 to Leicester in their last outing, while they lost 1-0 in the game before that against Crystal Palace. Recent results mean they are now without a win in three and with six points separating them from both the playoffs and the bottom three, the next few weeks could be very important for the rest of their campaign. Despite this poor form, their last defeat at home came in mid-October so Donny fans should still possess plenty of optimism ahead of this fixture.

All throughout the season people have been saying that Middlesbrough must soon be set to rise from their dreadful slump although as of yet, it still hasn’t happened. Since taking over, Tony Mowbray hasn’t seen too much of an upturn in fortunes at the Riverside although having beaten high flying Cardiff in their last game, Boro fans will certainly have more confidence heading into this one. As it stands, Mowbray’s men are sat just one place outside the relegation zone, with goal difference being the only reason for that. However, with a packed Christmas schedule around the corner, Mowbray will know that it might not be long before they rise up the league if they can build on their last result.

Sean O’Driscoll has seen his side hit by injuries throughout the campaign and he looks set to be without three players for this encounter. Simon Gillett, George Friend and Mustapha Dumbuya are all on the sidelines and unavailable for selection. O’Driscoll may even turn to Bryron Webster who was recalled from his loan spell with Hereford earlier in the week. The visitors are meanwhile relying on the fitness of David Wheater and Nicky Bailey, who are both doubts for this one having missed training through injury this week.

Middlesbrough may head into this game with extra confidence following victory last week, but their whole season has been made up of one step forward, two steps back. For that reason, and Doncaster’s reasonable home form, we’re going to predict a win for Sean O’Driscoll’s men here

Middlesbrough v Hull Preview

There’s no getting away from the fact that both of these teams have severely underachieved this season and for that reason, this promises to be an interesting fixture. Big spenders Middlesbrough still haven’t got going and now sit in the relegation zone on seventeen points, while opponents Hull aren’t fairing much better and sit just four points and three places higher.

Many people thought that as soon as Tony Mowbray took over at Middlesbrough, he’d completely revive the club’s fortunes. However, that hasn’t been the case at all and while Boro have picked up the odd good result under their new manager, they are still in the relegation zone having picked up a dismal seventeen points from the opening eighteen games. The severity of their position certainly shouldn’t be undermined even though it’s still early days as well. As it stands, they are three points adrift of safety yet should results go against them, that margin could be doubled this weekend. They head into this game on the back of two consecutive defeats and there are growing doubts as to whether or not any of the players that predecessor Gordon Strachan brought in are actually up to the task.

There’s no getting away from the fact that Hull are underachieving, but in comparison to Middlesbrough the KC Stadium outfit are penniless. Still, their supporters will expect at least a top half finish and will not be satisfied with their position of 19th. On the positive side, Nigel Pearson’s men do seem to be improving and they’ve managed seven points from their last three games following a draw at Leeds and victories over Preston and Ipswich. Those results have certainly given Pearson something to build on but just four points separate them from the bottom three and considering the size of the club, there’s no doubt that they need to move away from that zone as quickly as possible.

It’s mixed news on the team news front for the home side who could be without Gary O’Neil as he struggles with a knee complaint. However, Danny Coyne is available again although Tony Mowbray has to decide whether or not to throw the experienced shot stopper straight back in after good performances from deputy Jason Steele. Nigel Pearson meanwhile has Jay Simpson and Paul McShane back in contention after the duo recovered from chest and hamstring problems respectively. However, Pearson will have to make a late decision on Daniel Ayala who is struggling with a hamstring strain.

Middlesbrough may hold the home advantage here, but Tony Mowbray’s men haven’t showed any signs of improvement in recent weeks while Hull have strung together some decent results. With that, we’ll predict a narrow 1-0 victory for the Tigers.

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