MIDDLESBROUGH PREDICTED TEAM VS CARDIFF CITY WITH TWO CHANGES FROM THE LEEDS UNITED DEFEAT

Middlesbrough have nothing more but pride to play for this weekend as they head to Cardiff City for their penultimate game of the 2023-24 season.

Boro now know they can no longer finish in the top-six and secure a play-off place and therefore attentions have turned towards the summer and next season. Despite that, Michael Carrick has made clear that, while he will try and give opportunities where possible, his priority is still to pick a team that will have the best chance of winning the game in South Wales.

Carrick will welcome back loanees Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood to the fold, but said there wasn't expected to be any other changes to his squad. With that in mind, and with opportunities for younger players still likely to come from the bench rather than the start, here's our predicted Boro team for Saturday.

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GK - Seny Dieng - At fault for one of Leeds' goals on Monday evening, there was also a solid save too. He was rather unfortunate to leave the pitch having conceded four goals. With Tom Glover's season over, it seems unlikely Dieng won't play the final two games.

DR - Luke Ayling - Ineligible against his parent club, Ayling had to sit out on Monday and his absence was felt. Anfernee Dijksteel had a tough evening, albeit against the Crysencio Summerville who was voted the league's best player in his first start in four months. Harsh on Dijksteel maybe, it also highlighted why Ayling has been favoured since his arrival.

DC - Rav van den Berg - Not the easiest of evenings against Leeds, but he was still part of a defence that conceded only five shots on target against such a potent attacking outfit. The favourite to win the club's Player of the Year award next week, he's certain to start.

DC - Matt Clarke - With the Bluebirds always likely to have a physical threat at the top of thee pitch, Matt Clarke will have his work cut out but has proven time and time again that he loves the defensive battle with strikers of this ilk.

DL - Alex Bangura - Making his first appearance since January after injury, Bangura had a really positive cameo against Leeds and that will hopefully set him up nicely to return to the starting line-up in this one. After an injury-hit season, it would nice for the Sierra Leone international to play the last two ahead of an important summer for him to get ready for next term.

CM - Jonny Howson - The skipper looks on course to earn another 12-month contract extension thanks to his impressive form. In a season of so many injuries, Howson, at 35, has been available more than almost every other player. It just goes to show that age is but a number.

CM - Lewis O'Brien - What his future holds beyond this season remains uncertain as Michael Carrick spoke this week about the complicated nature of making a permanent deal a reality. Regardless, Carrick's aim is to win, and Boro's best chance of achieving that is with O'Brien in the team.

RW - Isaiah Jones - An excellent week saw Jones sign a new contract at the club and then net Boro's first goal against Leeds. Ending the season in really good form, it gives real hope for the future.

AM - Finn Azaz - He's not had the simplest of introductions into the side since his arrival in January but recently, Finn Azaz has been starting to show what he can offer in a Boro shirt and played a big part in two goals against Leeds. There are times when he could probably speed things up a little and protect the ball a little better. Nevertheless, he's there to make things happen and has been of late.

LW - Sammy Silvera - Greenwood will be back for this one, while Alex Gilbert will be desperate to start after an assist from the bench on Monday. But with Silvera getting a little run of games recently, it feels like he will naturally continue that run, with doubt over Greenwood's future, and Gilbert still finding his feet at the club and potentially spending next season out on loan.

ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath - Ending the season in fine form, his brace against Leeds moved him to nine goals in ten games and 16 in all competitions for the season. Hopefully it can continue in the final two to then take the confidence of it into next season.

2024-04-26T15:05:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd