If exmil is correct, then it could be a patched up team, defensively vulnerable and with a number of forward players with little recent games time.
If Hellberg plays a little safe and does not use his overworked 4-2-2-2 system, then I expect Browne to start, maybe with Gibert and then HH further forward. I assume the safe option would be Burgzorg upfront or infront of Bangura or Hansen as a wild card, alongside Conway. Depends who has impressed in training. For me Sene has done little with his oppotunities and this is not one for Nypan.
It will be be a very hard I think. Hull have sold out their allocation and there are not alot of tickets left showing on the MFC website. So the fans are backing the team once more, lets hope for a good performance and a little luck for a change.
Tonight is going to be a real test of how KH can change and cope with the hand that the injuries appear to have given him.
Yet again, we will see a makeshift defence and I can’t begin to predict how that might look although maybe 3 across the back with 2 wing backs might be the answer? Who plays where though and that may leave us vulnerable down the flanks.
Midfield has to Hackney and Browne and apart that I am struggling.
Not long until we find out what KH has up his sleeve!
Without being too pessimistic, I will be happy with a draw although naturally want us to repeat the away result or the one against QPR.
I don't think we have 3 fit centre-backs but Fry and Ayling have probably been our best centre-backs and Bangura has had some decent games under Hellberg so I'm not too worried as long as there are no more injuries!
Three changes - & no Fry, even on the bench:
CJ's earlier report on Boro's injury list:
No pre-match press conferences over the festive period, with Kim Hellberg answering questions on this game after the Blackburn game. That means, there's no updates on injuries ahead of this game beyond the little the Boro boss was able to say after that Blackburn draw.
Of course, Boro lost three defenders during that game, with Alfie Jones, George Edmundson and Matt Targett all forced off. It's uncertain at this stage whether any of them will be available this evening. As a result of the injuries, Fry was forced to play 45 minutes ahead of schedule, so it will be interesting to see how he reacted to that.
Boro didn't welcome Aidan Morris back on Boxing Day but he had returned to training, so could be back tonight. Silvera missed out through illness, so we await to see if he's improved enough to be involved.
Coventry vs Ipswich 0-0 at half-time.
It is a good enough starting eleven to win this, with a weaker bench than we would like, but still with options. CoB
P.S. Tractor Boys all over Coventry in the first half there, but not coverting dominance and chances to goals .
CJ's thoughts on the line-up:
Three changes for Boro this evening. Bangura, Browne and Sène in for Jones, Hamilton and Strelec.
Interesting to see how this looks. Could be that Gilbert/Hackney move into the McGree role, or it could be a change in formation to a 4-3-3/4-3-1-2.
Off [sic] the three defenders that went off on Boxing Day, it's interesting that Targett is the man who makes tonight, with Jones and Edmundson both absent. Worryingly, so too are Fry and Strelec, as Boro seemingly have another two injury problems. Real worry for Fry in particular, who only managed 45 minutes on Friday in his return. He really can't shake his problems right now and, in the final six months of his contract, that's a real concern.
Meanwhile, better news on the injury front sees both Aidan Morris and Abdoulaye Kanté back on the bench. They're joined by young George McCormick, who is the only defender on the bench for Boro this evening.
Thankfully, Hull have Oli McBurnie on the bench this evening, but Ayling is about the only aerially dominant player Boro have on the pitch, so they better hope he can come through this one okay, with McBurnie likely coming on later in the game if needed.
So exmil was right about Strelec.
Interesting to see how Boro line up - Browne sometimes drops into the middle of a back three and if you consider both Ayling and Targett are full-backs by trade then it may make sense to have a pseudo back three given Boro have no bona fide central defenders. It would also allow Brittain and Bangura to get forward a provide the width - especially if Conway and Sene are playing as a front two with Whittaker more of a roaming number ten.
Looking like Ipswich will pick up 3 points which gives us a chance to close the gap!
UTB
From the Beeb's look-ahead tlo this evening's games under the heading "Championship 2025, Premier League 2026?"
It is over eight years since Middlesbrough and Hull fell out of the Premier League after a single season. But as 2025 ends, both clubs looked primed for their best crack at a return since 2017.
Boro and the Tigers have surprised many at the halfway stage, sitting second and fourth respectively, but this is where the pressure will start to ramp up.
The Teesside club were dominant 4-1 winners in east Yorkshire 24 days ago and after one point from their last two games, will want to get back to winning ways.
The Tigers have collected 10 points since their Middlesbrough mauling, although boss Sergej Jakirovic was less than impressed by their 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.
These sides will both want to end a very good 2025 in the right manner to take with them in to what could be a even better 2026.
Ipswich leading at Coventry by 0-2 with a minute or so to go... + 6 minutes' injury time.
Has anybody got live Sky coverage? There doesn’t seem to be any.
Has anybody got live Sky coverage? There doesn’t seem to be any.
This is the reason why there's no Sky coverage:
Hull a goal up after 12 minutes. 🙁
CJ on Boro's response since the goal was conceded:
It's been a positive one since going behind. They're the team with more of the ball. The trouble is, they've given Hull something to protect. The onus is on Boro now to find a way through. They've not tested Pandur yet and face a wall of sky blue whenever they get near the box.
CJ on Boro's response since the goal was conceded:
It's been a positive one since going behind. They're the team with more of the ball. The trouble is, they've given Hull something to protect. The onus is on Boro now to find a way through. They've not tested Pandur yet and face a wall of sky blue whenever they get near the box.
As KH said, rather than run at the wall, we need to get round it!
Well this is all too familiar. Possession but no real threat up front and gift a soft goal.
Familiar failings of wasted free kicks and corners and not working their keeper.
Unless radical changes to tactics/personnel are made at half time then Hull will continue to defend well and hang onto their three points.
Very disappointing so far. 😎
A bad goal to concede that was really the result of three errors - midfield, keeper and defence - after that boro have had a lot of possession but the final ball has been lacking and I think the first shot on target was the 48th minute.
Not sure if Sene knows what he's meant to be doing and while Conway has been everywhere on the pitch he's rarely in the box given he's supposed to be the striker. Biggest threat has looked Bangura and surely that must indicate Boro need pace out wide - perhaps Hansen needs to come on for Sene but who is going to score if we don't have somebody as a focal point in attack?
Boro really need three points today - one at a minimum!
A like to that post seems wrong somehow. However, whilst I haven’t seen anything, just looking at the BBC live reporting and stats clearly supports your view, sadly.
Hopefully KH will change something at half time to ensure that the oft seen typical Boro Christmas form doesn’t have a repeat showing.
Domiblunt. That is dominant but blunt.
It makes no sense, Sene had just become Boro's most dangerous player and he's then subbed???
No changes at the start of the second half.
Morris, Hansen & Burgzorg on for Browne, Gilbert & Sène in the 59th minute.
Hansen booked in the 78th minute.
Nypan on for Conway in the 85th minute.
Just hope we don’t put this defeat down to a weakened team.
philip of Huddersfield 👎👎☹️☹️
Hey Ho - we are still 2nd although the gap has really been closed and unless something changes, the post Christmas blues will continue.
The interesting thing is that we are not up to the magic 2 points a game and Coventry are only just over that at 51. It’s going to be a tough second half of the season and the January window becomes even more critical.
i won’t comment on the game - I will leave that to those who have seen it.
Well that is quite deflating.
Over 70% possession
23 shots, only 5 on target.
This transfer window gets more important to us with each game.
I look forward to reading what those who saw the game have to say about it.