CARDIFF CITY BOSS'S EXPECTATIONS FOR MIDDLESBROUGH GAME COULD SET UP FOR AN EXCITING CLASH

Erol Bulut has set out his expectations for his Cardiff City side against Middlesbrough - and it could lead to an exciting Championship clash.

While the game has little riding on it for either side, Boro have certainly shown in recent weeks that it only encourages them to be more expressive as they aim to build towards next season. Michael Carrick's side lost on Monday to Leeds United - but it was their first defeat in ten games and was a thrilling seven-goal encounter.

Cardiff, meanwhile, sit just one point behind Boro in the table and come into the game on the back of an impressive come-from-behind 2-1 win over Southampton. Wanting to build on that victory, Bulut has made clear his expectations for Boro's visit.

READ MORE: Why Michael Carrick feels Middlesbrough can take more positives from this season than last

He said: "It is important to have more home wins in front of the fans. It is always great. In some games we have been unlucky, but in football it is all included, luck and unluck. I hope we can have a great game on Saturday to get the win against Middlesbrough.

"I hope for three points. Middlesbrough is also mid table, and of course both teams will try to win. We will try to finalise and finish the season with two more wins. Of course it will not be easy, they are a tough team. Last time I watched them against Leeds they played really good.

"I am expecting from my team that they are one hundred per cent focused on the game, like how we managed it against Southampton. We played an open game, the players played free."

While Cardiff will be hoping to win, their forward options are depleted right now. Perry Ng, Mark McGuinness, Aaron Ramsey, Jak Alnwick and Callum O'Dowda are out, with star striker Yakou Meite now also confirmed absent for Boro's visit too.

His absence comes just after former Bluebirds and Boro boss Neil Warnock talked up the Frenchman. He told our sister site Wales Online: "Meite, I was dead keen on him [at Huddersfield]. But Cardiff pipped us to that one. We spoke for a number of weeks but he said he liked the project which was put to him at Cardiff. I still think there's still a lot more to come from him. One of those players you have to keep on top of. He's got strength and he can finish."

2024-04-27T08:08:33Z dg43tfdfdgfd