Middlesbrough v Wigan - Team News

Friday, 20 February 09, 09:30 AM · Comments(0)

Afternoon Peeps and Boro fans,

Less than 24 hours until Boro kick off at the Riverside against Wigan Athletic. The game is being billed by many as the biggest game of the season so far for Middlesbrough. I would disagree though. All of our remaining games of the season are massive. In terms of our management options, maybe.

Early team news

We have no fresh injury news ahead of the game tomorrow, which is great news for us because Southgate can play almost hid strongest team tomorrow. I say almost because Aliadiere will not be included in the side tomorrow. He was meant to return from injury next week, but Southgate might include him the squad for tomorrow. We're all hoping he can bring a spark back into the team and give us much needed confidence.

Chris Riggott is back in the squad again after recovering from a knee injury which he picked up a couple of weeks ago against Manchester City.

I can't see Southgate changing the team much from the last performance at Upton Park. I'm not sure whether he will keep the same XI or add Tuncay to the team to give us more firepower up front.

Southgate's probable XI:

Jones

Hoyt Wheater Huth Pogatetz

Johnson O'Neil Digard Arca

Downing

Alves

Follow the Boro Brick Road XI:

Jones

Hoyt Wheater Huth Pogatetz

Johnson O'Neil Digard Downing

Tuncay Alves

The formation against West Ham was the right one, but the formation for tomorrows league game needs to be 4-4-2 with two strikers up top who can work off each other.

Don't get me wrong, I like to see Downing switching to a more central role from time to time, but that leaves us short up front when we only play Alves. If Downing is to move into the centre, then why not play him in the 4-4-2 formation? I think the second formation would cause Wigan all sorts of problems tomorrow.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Wigan 1

A tough and fiery contest, but Boro are on the verge of hitting top form and I could see that happening tomorrow.

Enjoy the game!

Follow the Boro Brick Road..

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