Fulham v Boro (FA Cup)

Andy R · 2026-01-07T10:33:27Z

After Boro finally returned to winning – and scoring – ways in the 4-0 battering of pre-season promotion hopefuls, Southampton, at the weekend, we now face a brief interlude in the shape of the FA Cup.Boro have been eliminated at the third round stage in each of the past three seasons and it may not be any easier this time around as we visit Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.Currently sitting 11th in the Premier League (though there are several fixtures tonight, including our hosts at home to Chelsea in a/the West London derby), Fulham are, as you might expect, packed with quality all over the pitch.Experience is the theme of the Cottagers squad. 33-year-old Bernd Leno provides stability between the sticks with long-serving internationals Calvin Bassey (currently away at AFCON) and Dane Joachim Andersen at centre-back. The ultra-consistent Kenny Tete, backed up by Belgian international Timothy Castagne in reserve, take the right back slot and arguably the best of the lot is USA left-back Antonee Robinson – a player who could easily have been operating at Champions League level were it not for a lengthy injury over the summer which means his season has only just begun.The quality in midfield arguably dips a touch by Premier League standards but still includes more experience in internationals Sasa Lukic (Serbia) and Sande Berge (Norway). The pacey and powerful Alex Owobi is absent for AFCON but potentially backfilled by the even more pacey and powerful former Boro winger, Adama Traore, whilst the wildly in-form Harry Wilson (Wales) and young former Arsenal graduate Emile Smith-Rowe (England) provide the guile.Up front, former Boro loanee Rodrigo Muniz had seemingly nailed the striker spot down but is a long-term injury absentee, leaving more experience and know-how in Mexican international Raul Jimenez somewhat uncontested as the number 9.Boss Macro Silva was open with the press that he was disappointed with his club’s summer transfer activity which saw tricky Brazilian winger Kevin as the only notable addition. This perhaps led to a slow start for Fulham’s Premier League campaign but three wins and two draws in their last five has propelled them to a more comfortable – and expected – mid-table position.Perhaps the main question for Saturday’s encounter will surround how much the two sides are willing to prioritise a cup run.Fulham, it seems to me, are primed to “give it a go”. Comfortable in mid-table with no threat of relegation, the FA Cup offers a decent distraction for the West Londoners and two Quarter Final appearances in the last four years – where they exited only to Manchester United and then last season’s eventual winners Crystal Palace - suggest they do take the competition seriously. In fact, they haven’t lost in the third round since 2018/19.Boro, on the other hand, have the far more pressing – and potentially lucrative – matter of a Championship promotion push to consider.It’s anyone’s guess as to how the side will line-up – options are short in both defence and centre-forward – but it may well be that Boro rotate more heavily than Fulham, with possible chances for fringe players such as George McCormick, Abdoulaye Kante, Sverre Nypan, Sontje Hansen and Micah Hamilton.However, I have suspicion that Hellberg will not want to be embarrassed down in the capital and perhaps that rotation may be for three or four players only. It may be wise to hide Adilson Malanda at least, partly to protect from injury but perhaps also to avoid catching the eye of those with deep pockets.On the plus side, Fulham do have that testing encounter at home to Chelsea tonight which will surely take some toll on the Cottagers’ legs, whilst they may take Boro more lightly than perhaps they should. Also, it has been noted that Boro’s best performances have almost exclusively come against sides willing to take them on, as opposed to employing the dreaded “low block”. Fulham will offer the sort of spaces that our forward line and midfield seem to need.So, a weekend off from the Championship grind but against a strong, experienced Fulham side who tend to have a go in the cup, with no doubt some rotation in the Boro lineup. An upset is not impossible but, in truth, not likely either. Yet, this is somewhat of a pressure-off free-hit for Hellberg’s men. I doubt too many will be upset if we are defeated, so long as no new injuries are picked up and we manage to take some sort of momentum into our next league fixture.We’ll still be cheering them on and delighted if we win though, won’t we?UTB

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Malcolm

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January 14, 2026 10:50 am

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25762790.kim-hellberg-middlesbroughs-january-transfer-puzzle/?ref=ebls&nid=937&block=article_block_a&u=568d8cb2ca4801bbba34d29d6455bff5&date=140126

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Chris from Barlby

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January 14, 2026 11:03 am

@andy-r Hello that was me. I will post something soon.

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werdermouth

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January 14, 2026 11:13 am

@chris-from-barlby

Glad I just checked in again as had just started writing a few paragraphs in anticipation of needing to cover the preview 🙂

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