Toon must be careful not to slip up! Newcastle v Middlesbrough match preview.
December 19th, 2009 | 22 Comments |
The weather might well stop this as a contest before it’s even begun, but given the start the teams have made to the season, allied with Gordon Strachan’s unenviable record at St James’ Park and our recent record at home against the Smogs, few would bet on a Boro win in Sunday’s Tyne-Tees derby. And of course this is the sort of occasion when that’s bound to happen.
Boro come into Sunday’s game with a number of key players missing – Sean St Ledger’s loan has now ended and he’s returned to Preston North End. Jonathan Franks and skipper Gary O’Neill should return but Jeremie Aliadiere, Didier Digard, Adam Johnson and Seb Hines miss out, while Chris Riggott is rated as doubtful.
Middlesbrough started the season brightly but their form has dipped, and they have found themselves mid-table. Their form under Strachan is also questionale having picked up 4 points from a possible 21. But they have been stronger away from home and their last away fixture included 3 of those points under Strachan when they thumped QPR, 5-1 at Loftus Road. (more…)