Barnsley v Middlesbrough: Match Preview

Middlesbrough travel to Oakwell to face Barnsley on Saturday afternoon in what will be a crucial tie for both teams.

Boro are currently on a poor run of form, having not won in their last seven matches in the Championship.

They have also conceded at least once during this spell and will be looking to secure a morale boosting win.

Their hosts, Barnsley, are also not in the best of form and are bottom of the league table.

Barnsley are leaky at the back and haven’t kept a clean sheets in their last 16 matches at home. Jonathan Woodgate’s side will be confident of scoring against a team that has struggled all season in defence.

Boro will be missing defenders Daniel Ayala and Dael Fry who have been ruled out of the clash.

Meanwhile, Barnsley will be missing midfielder Callum Styles who is out for four weeks with an ankle injury.

Middlesbrough have a good record against their hosts and are currently unbeaten in their last five matches. Ashley Fletcher will be the man that Boro look to for goals with the forward netting in recent games.

Boro are one of the lowest scoring teams in the Championship and will need to create chances if they are to have a good chance of victory

Boro should edge their opponents and secure a vital victory.