Match Preview: Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers (FA Cup Third Round)

Fixture: Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers

 Competition: FA Cup Third Round

 Date: Saturday, 11 January 2025

 Kick-Off: 12:00 GMT

 Venue: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Riverside Stadium in the FA Cup Third Round. Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough side, sitting 5th in the Championship, have shown consistency and attacking flair, remaining unbeaten in their last six matches. Meanwhile, John Eustace leads Blackburn, currently 7th in the Championship, into this clash as they look to bounce back from a disappointing league run.

With Middlesbrough in solid form and Blackburn desperate for a morale-boosting win, this cup tie has all the ingredients for a fascinating battle.

Middlesbrough (Last 5 Matches):

• Hull City 0-1 Middlesbrough (Championship)
• Middlesbrough 1-1 Cardiff City (Championship)
• Middlesbrough 0-0 Burnley (Championship)
• Middlesbrough 3-3 Sheffield Wednesday (Championship)
• Plymouth Argyle 3-3 Middlesbrough (Championship)

Key Stats:

• Goals Scored: 8
• Goals Conceded: 7

Blackburn Rovers (Last 5 Matches):

• Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Burnley (Championship)
• Leeds United 1-1 Blackburn Rovers (Championship)
• Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Hull City (Championship)
• Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sunderland (Championship)
• Millwall 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (Championship)

Key Stats:

• Goals Scored: 3
• Goals Conceded: 6
  

Injuries:

• Tommy Smith (Achilles)
• Alex Bangura (Achilles)
• Jonny Howson (Calf)
• Darragh Lenihan (Ankle)
• Seny Dieng (Hip)

Key Players:

• Emmanuel Latte Lath: Middlesbrough’s leading scorer with 10 goals this season.
• Hayden Hackney: A creative force in midfield, driving attacks and controlling the tempo.
• Dael Fry: A defensive stalwart, pivotal in neutralising opposition threats.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

• GK: Tom Glover
• DEF: Anfernee Dijksteel, Dael Fry, Matt Clarke, Ryan Giles
• MID: Hayden Hackney, Dan Barlaser
• AM: Isaiah Jones, Riley McGree, Finn Azaz
• FW: Emmanuel Latte Lath
  

Injuries:

• Harry Pickering (Knee)
• Hayden Carter (Knee)
• Scott Wharton (Cruciate Ligament)
• Lewis Travis (Hamstring)

Key Players:

• Sammie Szmodics: A consistent attacking outlet with his creative runs and passing.
• Dom Hyam: The defensive leader tasked with containing Middlesbrough’s dynamic forwards.

Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

• GK: Aynsley Pears
• DEF: Joe Rankin-Costello, Dom Hyam, Daniel Ayala, Callum Brittain
• MID: Sammie Szmodics, John Buckley, Adam Wharton
• FW: Tyrhys Dolan, Sam Gallagher, Dilan Markanday
  

Middlesbrough:

• Rely on high possession and intricate passing, especially in the final third.
• Emmanuel Latte Lath’s pace will be crucial for breaking down Blackburn’s defence.

Blackburn Rovers:

• Likely to sit deep and counter-attack, with Szmodics and Dolan exploiting spaces.
• Defensive discipline will be paramount to withstand Middlesbrough’s attacking intensity.
  

Last 5 Meetings:

• November 27, 2024: Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn (Championship)
• March 16, 2024: Middlesbrough 0-0 Blackburn (Championship)
• September 16, 2023: Blackburn 2-1 Middlesbrough (Championship)
• December 29, 2022: Blackburn 1-2 Middlesbrough (Championship)
• October 15, 2022: Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackburn (Championship)

Overall Record (Last 44 Matches):

• Middlesbrough Wins: 11
• Blackburn Wins: 18
• Draws: 15
  

Middlesbrough’s solid home form makes them slight favourites, but Blackburn’s historical success at the Riverside Stadium cannot be overlooked. Expect a cautious start, with Middlesbrough’s possession-based game tested against Blackburn’s compact defence.

Middlesbrough’s unbeaten run and home advantage, coupled with Blackburn’s recent struggles in front of goal, suggest a comfortable result for Michael Carrick's side.

• Result: Middlesbrough to Win
• Goals: Under 2.5 Goals
• Anytime Scorer: Emmanuel Latte Lath
  

Middlesbrough and Blackburn’s last FA Cup meeting was in the 2001-02 season, with Middlesbrough clinching a 1-0 win. Blackburn, however, have not lost at the Riverside Stadium in their last 10 visits in all competitions.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.