Brighton v Middlesbrough Preview
Middlesbrough make the tough trip down to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday in a Championship match between two sides that have promotion ambitions this campaign.
Middlesbrough make the tough trip down to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday in a Championship match between two sides that have promotion ambitions this campaign.
Boro head into this one in eleventh place at the moment, but are just one point off the top six and will move above their opponents who sit in fifth position with a victory at the American Express Community Stadium.
It looks as though playing away from home seems to suit Tony Mowbray’s men as they have won their last three meetings on their travels.
Mowbray will know what a difficult match this one is though, but in this hugely competitive league, any result is possible and if Boro can now put a few wins together after the international break they are sure to move comfortably into the top six.
The Championship is so tight that Mowbray and his men are just six points off the top of the table as well, and that is what they should be targeting for the season.
Although there are a vast amount of injury problems at the moment, the squad that goes into Saturday’s match is more than capable of bringing three points back to the Riverside Stadium.
With two home games against Hull City and Bolton Wanderers to follow after this one, nine points is not an unrealistic target. However, offer Mowbray seven and he is sure to grab that with both hands.
A big task for Boro on Saturday is stopping Brighton’s leading scorer Craig Mackail-Smith, who currently has six goals in the league.
He looks set to make his return to action after nearly a month on the sidelines, and the defence of the visitors will need to be at their best to keep him quiet.
Brighton have not won in three matches though, so if Boro can grab themselves an early goal, then there may be a bit of panic from the home supporters and players.
It is always tough to predict just what is going to happen in the Championship, especially with Middlesbrough’s lack of consistency so far this season, so maybe placing your money on some Pub Games is the safer way to bet.
- Boro hopeful of Jonny Howson return for Chelsea clash
- Luke Ayling joins Boro on loan from Leeds United
However, this is all set to be a thoroughly entertaining match.
