Middlesbrough up next - another toughie

Middlesbrough are one of those teams that are clearly capable of being a Premiership side as they have all the infrastructure and pedigree of a top footballing establishment. AFCB fans are well aware that there are few harder places for our team to go this season than to the Riverside stadium.

Tony Mowbray is a very experienced manager who will have honed his team into a difficult to beat side and while they are currently just below mid-table they are capable of much more. They have come under pressure though at home with two draws to show for their efforts and they have only had one win against Charlton away so far. That may seem even more strange when they managed to get 0:2 up away from home against Nottingham Forest in mid-week, only to end up drawing the game.

They do have some top quality forward players though including Lukas Jutkiewicz, who started his career at Southampton and Kei Kamara who signed in the recent window from Sporting Kansas City of the MLS. Jutkiewicz scored 11 goals last season in 44 matches for Middlesbrough. In midfield there is Adomah and Butterfield. Jacob Butterfield is a 23 year old who was signed from Norwich City in the summer while the Ghanaian, Adomah was signed from Bristol City in August.  AFCB will also have to look out for George Friend, the former Doncaster defender, who has already scored two goals this season.

Having already played the well fancied teams of Wigan, Forest, Blackpool and Leicester City, Middlesbrough may feel that they should be picking up three points at home against newly promoted Bournemouth. I will certainly be pleased if the Cherries can come away with a draw even though Eddie will look to take all three points.

AFCB away form:
LLW

Middlesbrough home form:
LDD

For another view of Saturday's game take a stroll over to Rival Lines where you will learn all about Middlesbrough courtesy of Stevo's Boro Blog.