Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when Boro sit in ninth position in the standings, Blackburn are down in 18th place, just three points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

With Middlesbrough having under-performed throughout this campaign, it would not have come as a surprise if Michael Carrick was removed from his position in the dugout.

However, that is now currently out of the question with Boro having impressively bounced back from a run of one win in eight games with three successive victories.

Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City have each been defeated to keep the North-East outfit as outsiders to make the playoffs at the end of the season.

Luck will still need to go their way - Boro remain five points adrift of sixth-placed Norwich City - yet momentum is building at a time when they can end the weekend just one point adrift of Coventry City - who are in FA Cup action - in eighth position.

This is the first time since October that Carrick's side have managed to post three triumphs in a row, their most recent such run in the second tier lasting six games.

There was a time under Jon Dahl Tomasson when Blackburn would either win or lose, sustained period of games passing by without a draw being posted.

In sharp contrast under John Eustace, six of Blackburn's last seven fixtures have ended in stalemate, including five in the Championship as they bid to avoid a relegation scrap.

Eustace would have had high hopes of overcoming at least one of Millwall or Plymouth Argyle - two rivals at the bottom end of the table - but they have had to settle for 1-1 draws at Ewood Park on both occasions.

On a positive note, Blackburn can view each point as a bonus having coming from behind to earn a share of the spoils with Millwall and played the final 36 minutes versus Plymouth with 10 men.

Nevertheless, they remain without a win since February 10 and only three points above 23rd position, the pressure well and truly on to head into the international break on a high.

Middlesbrough Championship form:

W

L

L

W

W

W

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

D

D

D

L

D

D

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

D

D

L

L

D

D

Team News

A switch to a back three is currently working a treat for Middlesbrough and Carrick seems likely to select an unchanged starting lineup for this contest.

Finn Azaz and Sam Greenwood are both alternatives for the final third, but Boro will remain without the likes of Dael Fry, Hayden Hackney and Josh Coburn due to injury.

Eustace will make at least one change to his Blackburn side with Kyle McFadzean having been sent off against Plymouth.

Harry Pickering could switch from wing-back to feature on the left-hand side of a back three, with Ben Chrisene potentially returning to the side.

Tyrhys Dolan is pushing to take the spot of Sam Gallagher in the final third, but the likes of Hayden Carter and John Fleck remain on the sidelines through injury.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Dieng; McNair, Van den Berg, Clarke; Ayling, Howson, O'Brien, Engel; McGree; Forss, Latte Lath

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Wahlstedt; Hyam, Wharton, Pickering; Brittain, Buckley, Ayari, Chrisene; Gallagher, Sigurdsson; Szmodics

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

With Blackburn having kept their points tally ticking over with draws, that result cannot be ruled out here. However, Boro are beginning to build up a head of steam and we are backing Carrick's side to edge this contest in the closing stages.

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