Middlesbrough (A) | Match Preview
The Game
Middlesbrough v Argyle. Riverside Stadium. Saturday, 24 February. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Middlesbrough are 13th in the Championship, with 44 points from 32 games. They have won six, drawn three and lost seven of their home fixtures.
After four wins in five over the Christmas period, Boro began the calendar year with a defeat at home Coventry City, then a defeat to Aston Villa in the Emirates FA Cup. They had also reached the Carabao Cup semi-final, and although they won 1-0 against Chelsea in the first leg, they lost the second 6-1.
In the league, Boro won at Millwall, then failed to win in their next four, drawing at home to Rotherham United and Sunderland, then losing at home to Bristol City and away at Preston North End. This run came to an abrupt end last weekend, as they won 2-1 at league leaders Leicester City.
The Gaffer
Michael Carrick came through the youth system at West Ham United, breaking into the first team and playing over 150 games before being sold to Tottenham Hotspur. After two seasons, he moved to Manchester United, where he would play 464 times, and win almost every honour in the game, including the FA Cup, five Premier League titles, two EFL Cups and a Champions League. He received 34 caps for England.
After hanging up his boots, Carrick stayed on the coaching staff at Manchester United, and took charge of three games as caretaker manager, before departing. He was hired as Middlesbrough manager in October 2022, with Boro 21st in the table. By the end of the season, they had risen to fourth, but lost to Coventry City in the play-off semi-final.
The Squad
The most notable name in the Middlesbrough squad is Finn Azaz (below), who Boro signed for a reported £2.5m in the January transfer window. Azaz had spent a season and a half at Argyle on loan, scoring 15 goals in 66 games, including one against Middlesbrough earlier this season. Azaz has scored twice in six games since heading to the North East, including the opener against Leicester.
The other goal at the King Power was scored by Sammy Silvera. Winger Silvera has started nine games, including at Leicester, and come on as a substitute in 16 more, for Boro this season. He has scored four goals, including two in his last three. He also has five caps for Australia.
Middlesbrough have several injuries to their side. Jonny Howson, Hayden Hackney and Josh Coburn are confirmed as missing the game, with Emmanuel Latte Lath and Dale Fry doubts having missed recent games.
Earlier This Season
The sides met in November, at Home Park, in a memorable 3-3 draw. Josh Coburn put Boro ahead, with Bali Mumba equalising, and Finn Azaz getting Argyle in front. Coburn equalised on the hour, and Middlesbrough quickly went ahead with a goal from Sam Greenwood. Argyle saved a point with a Morgan Whittaker goal, rounding off a thrilling game in the Home Park rain.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their white away kit for this game.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased from the away ticket office at the Riverside Stadium from 1.30pm. Tickets can be paid with cash only.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, with Charlie Price and Aaron Cusack, will begin at 2pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube. Commentary will be provided from the Riverside Stadium by Nathan Albon and Lee Makel. International supporters can buy a match pass to watch the game, here.
