Last Season
Middlesbrough
Championship:
2
nd
FA Cup: Third Round
League Cup: Quarter-Finals
11
Top Scorer (all): Cristhian Stuani (
)
If at first you don't succeed try and try again.
Middlesbrough are the prime example of going
back and taking a bite at the cherry. A seven
year absence from the top-flight nearly stretch
too eight as they surrendered their healthy lead
at the top of the Championship. A draw with
fellow promotion hopefuls Brighton signalled
wild celebrations on Teesside, but they face a
tricky task to remain in a division that takes no
prisoners. Aitor Karanka, who was on the brink of
leaving the club in April, has used his contacts to
secure some clever signings with valuable
experience in Europe's top leagues, but the core
of the team will be the one that has served him
admirably during his tenure. Goals come at a
premium, but they boast a defence who rarely
ship goals, just
Who's in and who's out?
What's their reality?
Much is hoped for Marten de
Their squad fails to get the blood
12
Roon, a £
m Dutch midfielder
and trusted back four is all well and
striker Viktor Fischer, who scored
good, but without a cutting edge
goals in
79
apps for Ajax, could
the shoulders of Jordan Rhodes,
Alvaro Negredo, who won the title
who struggled to find his rhythm
2014
. The
Key Man: George Friend
Boro could struggle. Much lies on
be partnered by fellow new boy
with Man City in
last season.
flowing with exuberance. A reliable
signed from Atlanta. Danish
24
31
since joining in January. Perhaps
Young Star: Dael Fry
Spaniard is on loan from Valencia
the best suited from the three
till the end of the season.
promoted sides to stay up, but it
Marmite Man: David Nugent
Season expectations?
won't be an easy task.
In
Stay up comfortably, but not
Fixtures to look out for
without the odd bump in the road.
A local derby two weeks into the
Boro rarely do things the easy way,
season against Sunderland will be
securing promotion in the most
tasty. They may want to avoid a late
nail-biting fashion, so surviving in a
slug to stay up. Man City, Chelsea,
more assuring manner would be
Southampton and Liverpool are their
appreciated by suffering
concluding four games. Early April
supporters.
looks a lot more favourable.
3
Words: Persistent,
drilled, returning
356
1000 1
15 8
15
Odds (Bet
Title:
):
/
Relegation:
Prediction:
/
th