Source: FOOTYMAD
Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth Preview
Can Pompey make it a hat-trick of consecutive wins? Pompey make the longest trip of the season to Teeside to face struggling Middlesbrough, knowing that a win will see them leap their opponents in the Championship table.Team NewsRichard Hughes is available after his suspension but it seems likely that Steve Cotterill will select exactly the same side that has won the last two games.Boro are likely to be without Julio Arca due to a groin problem but midfielder Kevin Thomson could be fit enough to replace him. Gary O'Neil is set to play against the club where he made his name.The MatchAfter two successive wins things are starting to look up for Pompey but there still remains a concern over the away form, having lost every league game on the road so far.Middlesbrough were the pre-season favourites to win the Championship as Gordon Strachan signed some of the best Scottish talent around, yet the likes of Kris Boyd have failed to deliver at the moment.They still remain a force at the Riverside, however, having won their last three home games so despite our recent upturn in form it may be a little short-sighted of Pompey fans to believe that tomorrow's game is going to be easy.Victory tomorrow will see Pompey claim their first hat-trick of consecutive league wins in three years. Such a rare feeling for Pompey fans will be welcome as we head into the international break but a draw wouldn't be the worst result in the world either.I certainly don't want to be doing that six hour journey back from the North-East tomorrow after yet another away defeat, that's for sure.Predicted Starting Line-UpsMiddlesbroughGK: Jason STEELERB: Tony McMAHONCB: David WHEATERCB: Stephen McMANUSLB: Joe BENNETTRM: Gary O'NEILCM: Nicky BAILEYCM: Barry ROBSONLM: Mickal TAVAREZCF: Leroy LITACF: Kris BOYDPompeyGK: Jamie ASHDOWNRB: Joel WARDCB: Aaron MOKEONACB: Ricardo ROCHALB: Carl DICKINSONRM: Liam LAWRENCECM: Michael BROWNCM: Hayden MULLINSLM: John UTAKACF: David NUGENTCF: Dave KITSONLast Time: Middlesbrough 1 Portsmouth 1 (Premier League - 14/03/2009)Marlon King snatched a dramatic stoppage time equaliser for Boro after Peter Crouch gave Pompey a first half lead that they really should have built on, especially as Matthew Bates was sent off in the second half. The home side may have even won it at the death as Afonso Alves' shot was saved just before the ref blew the whistle for full time.My PredictionOptimism is high around Pompey at the moment, but I am still not confident enough to predict that we can win at what will be one of the toughest venues to get a result this season. I can't see us losing though.Middlesbrough 1 Portsmouth 1
