Middlesbrough v Cardiff. Match preview

 

With Boro returning from a short sunshine break in Marbella this has given the team plenty of time to prepare for the visit of Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

 

However, the psychological effect of dropping out of the top two over the weekend (with Burnley beating Rotherham United 2-0), can’t play on the players' minds, with a crucial match against a confident Cardiff team.

 

Although Boro are unbeaten in their last three games, conceding just 4 goals during the last five matches, goals have been hard to come by. Despite the signing of striker Jordan Rhodes, Boro have only scored twice since their last win back on January 12th.

 

There’s mixed news in the Boro defence, with the potential return of Daniel Ayala. However, after his red card against Leeds United, Ben Gibson misses the game through suspension. Midfielder Adam Clayton also misses the fixture after picking up his 10th booking of the season.

 

Tuesday night is an opportunity to turn up feeling fresh, with a final push towards promotion. Boro need to forget about that has been and look towards what can still be achieved. Automatic promotion to the Premier League is still in Boro’s hands and a win in this game would be huge boost for confidence.

 

oneBoro Prediction - Boro 2, Cardiff 1

 

Cardiff striker Sammy Ameobi returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension.

But after Saturday's 4-1 win over Brighton saw manager Russell Slade select a side without a recognised centre-forward, Ameobi may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Peter Whittingham's two goals guarantee him a start while man of the match Lex Immers scored for his second successive game - almost a month apart - as Slade found a formation which worked.

Winger Craig Noone has missed the last four matches with a chest injury but defender Sean Morrison is looking to force his way back into the squad after a knee injury in December.

 

MATCH FACTS

• Middlesbrough have only lost two of their previous 13 home league games against Cardiff (W9 D2).
• Cardiff have failed to score in five of their last 10 league games at Middlesbrough - scoring more than one on just two occasions.
• Saturday's 4-1 win over Brighton was the first time Cardiff had scored four goals in a league match since December 2012.
• Middlesbrough have kept a league-high 17 clean sheets this season.

Referee: Trevor Kettle