Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough are in dire trouble after another loss, this time to QPR on Sunday. Jordan Hugill's goal condemned Boro to their 17th loss of the season, as the Riversiders remained in the bottom three.

They travel to Millwall on Wednesday evening, looking to end a run of two straight defeats. Middlesbrough's away form has been poor throughout the season, having conceded first in 60% of their away ties. Of these, they have failed to win any, drawing three and losing nine. 

Millwall's form since project restart has been something of a mixed bag. A late Jake Cooper goal saw them beat Charlton 1-0 on Friday evening, a first win for the Lions in their last four games. At home, Millwall have struggled. They are winless in their last six home ties, with their last victory a 2-0 success over Reading back in January. A victory would keep Millwall's promotion hopes alive, as they currently sit five points outside the playoff spots.

Key Battle:

Target man Matt Smith will be hoping to add to his 12 league goals against a leaky Boro backline. Middlesbrough have only kept two clean sheets in their last 14 league games, and Smith will be looking to fill his boots on Wednesday night. 

At the other end, Britt Assombalonga may look to add to his seven league goals so far, including a penalty in his side's last away game against Hull. Millwall have only kept one clean sheet in their last six home games, and the Middlesbrough forward can be confident of having opportunities to find the net. 

Previous Meeting:

The previous meeting between the sides finished 1-1, back in August 2019. Paddy McNair's goal gave Boro the lead, before the equaliser came from Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw. 

Team News:

For Millwall, strikers Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Aiden O Brien still remain out with injuries, and Mason Bennett will face a late fitness test. 

For Middlesbrough, defender Djed Spence remains their only absentee.

Predicted Lineups:

Millwall (3-4-2-1): Bialkowski, Pearce, Cooper, Hutchinson, Wallace, Woods, Molumby, Romeo, Wallace, Leonard, Smith.

Middlesbrough (4-1-3-2): Stojanovic, Johnson, Friend, Fry, Howson, Moukoudi, Saville, Morrison, Roberts, Assombalonga, Fletcher. 

Managers' Comments:

Following their 1-0 victory over Charlton, Millwall boss Gary Rowett recognised his side need to rest before their bout with Middlesbrough:

"We'll give them the weekend off, we'll come in Monday... this is a pure luxury to have two days to prepare, but we have another tough game"(against Middlesbrough).”

Middlesbrough boss Warnock recognised his players must show fighting spirit in future games, should they wish to stay in the league:

"I don't think we've had anything drop for us in the last few games. I think that's what we need at the moment.

"I look at the lads and I can't fault the effort they've put in. They haven't got to get too down. It's hard, but as I've said to them they're very fortunate to be footballers at a club like this and they have to fight tooth and nail."

 

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