After a precious 1-2 victory over Stoke City at Bet 365 Stadium, AFC Bournemouth players are in high spirit to face Middlesbrough at Dean Court on Tuesday night. Despite securing the maximum points against the Potters in Premier League in the weekend, the Cherries are the second last team in the league standings. AFC Bournemouth qualified for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after beating fellow Premier League team, Brighton & Hove Albion, 1-0, in September.
Middlesbrough was relegated from the Premier League last season after finishing nineteenth in the 20-team league table.
The Boro have had a bad run in the Championship League after failing to win any of their last five matches in the division. Last weekend, Middlesbrough suffered a narrow 0-1 home defeat at the hands of the traveling Cardiff City with the late goal coming through a penalty six minutes from the stoppage time.
Talking points
- AFC Bournemouth met with Middlesbrough twice in Premier League last season where each of the two contests was won by the home team.
- The two league meetings last season saw only the home side score goals. Middlesbrough won the first leg fixture 2-0 at Riverside Stadium while the Cherries also the second leg 4-0 at Dean Court Stadium.
- Middlesbrough was demoted from Premier League after finishing a disappointing nineteenth last season. Interestingly, the Cherries are currently nineteenth and could face the chop at the end of the season should they fail to improve.
- Middlesbrough beat Aston Villa 2-0 to reach the fourth round of the league cup. Coincidentally, Aston Villa was relegated alongside Middlesbrough and Sunderland last season.
- The Boro have been in three league cup finals and won the title on one occasion. Garry Monk's side won the title in season 2004/05 and finished as runners-up in 1996/97 and 1997/98.
- The Cherries have never won the title since its inception in 1957.
- The league cup has changed names from Carling Cup to Capital One and now the name of Carabao Cup.
Team news
The hosts will automatically miss Tyrone Mings, Adam Federici, Brad Smith and Adam Smith who are all sidelined with injuries and missed the 2-1 victory over Stoke City.
Other than the four cases, Eddie Howe has the rest of his team to pick from. Artur Boruc is likely to replace Asmir Begovic between the sticks while Callum Wilson might lead the attack with Benik Afobe taking a rest. Other players who may feature in the match for the hosts are; Charlie Daniels, Nathan Ake, Simon Francis, Adam Smith, Lys Mousset, Junior Stanislas, Andrew Surman, Lewis Cook and Jordon Ibe.
Gary Monk will most likely line up a strong side in an attempt to help the Boro win the title for the second time in history. However, the former Swansea City manager can make a few changes from the team that lost against Cardiff City. This is how the lineup: Darren Randolph, Ben Gibson, Daniel Ayala, Cyrus Christie, Fabio, Grant Leadbitter, Britt Assombalonga, Martin Braithwaite, Jonathan, Stewart Downing, Patrick Bamford and Adama Traore.
Full-time prediction: AFC Bournemouth 2-3 Middlesborough
