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Middlesbrough logo
Championship
Dec 26, 2012 at 3pm UK
 
Blackburn logo

1-0

FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn Rovers

Sports Mole previews struggling Blackburn's Championship trip to Teesside to face Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

Middlesbrough go into their Championship match against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow knowing that a win could send them into the top two.

Boro currently sit fourth in the table, but could move into the automatic promotion spots if Hull City and Crystal Palace both lose.

Their recent form has been erratic, however, as they have alternated between wins and losses in their last six matches in all competitions.

Rovers go into the match having picked up just one point from the last 15 available, a run that has seen them slump to 17th in the table.

Boro have a number of injury concerns, with Nicky Bailey, Andre Bikey, Ishmael Miller and Rhys Williams all struggling to prove their fitness in time for the match.

Blackburn, meanwhile, could welcome Danny Murphy and David Dunn back to their midfield after injury, while Markus Olsson has recovered from an illness in time. Fabio Nunes and Nuno Gomes are both out with hamstring injuries, however.

Middlesbrough came out on top when the two sides met earlier in the season, beating Blackburn 2-1 at Ewood Park.

Recent form

Middlesbrough: WLWWL

Blackburn: LLDLL

Possible starting lineups

Middlesbrough: Steele; Hoyte, Woodgate, Hines, Friend; Leadbitter, Smallwood, McEachran; McDonald, Emnes, Jutkiewicz

Blackburn: Robinson; Givet, Martin Olsson, Dann, Henley; Etuhu, Murphy, Dunn, Pedersen; Rhodes, Kazim-Richards

Sports Mole says: 3-0


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