Middlesbrough vs Millwall predictions: Harris can enjoy strong farewell
- Middlesbrough were beaten 3-1 at Leeds on Tuesday night
- Millwall have lost two in a row after being unbeaten in nine
- Recommended bet: Draw or Millwall double chance
It has been a tough week for Middlesbrough with trips to both Burnley and Leeds, so Michael Carrick will be hoping a return to the Riverside yields a return to winning ways.
It is a thankless trip for Millwall, less than three days after playing Sheffield United, who will want to send departing boss Neil Harris on his way on a positive note.
Team news
Luke Ayling could swap in for Anfernee Dijksteel at right-back for Boro after missing out at Burnley and Leeds.
Michael Carrick could also recall the likes of Jonny Howson and Tommy Conway if he wants to freshen up his side, though there is a question mark over the fitness of Dael Fry at centre-back.
Ryan Leonard is available after being suspended for the 1-0 home loss to Sheff Utd and should return at right-back in Harris' usual 4-2-3-1 Lions set-up.
Harris is also hopeful Shaun Hutchinson will be fit after a two-week lay-off to return alongside Japhet Tanganga at the heart of the back line.
The Lions' outgoing boss also has a choice to make between Macaulay Langstaff and Mihailo Ivanovic for the central striker role.
The stats
Middlesbrough are one of three teams in the Championship yet to have a 0-0 draw.
Carrick's team are looking for back-to-back home wins in the league for the first time since April.
Fifteen of Millwall's 19 matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
Since beating Preston 3-1, the Lions have played 12 league matches, none of which has produced more than two goals. They have been involved in a joint-high eight games that have ended 1-0.
Prediction
Expect a clash of styles at the Riverside, where a physical Millwall can knock some of the swagger out of Middlesbrough.
Carrick's Boro are a daring side who like to play and take chances and they do, as a result, score plenty of goals.
But they can also be exposed and Millwall will look for any vulnerability, especially at set-plays. Only Derby have managed a greater percentage of goals from set-pieces than the Lions.
Boro have only won one of their last four and that was at home to Hull.
But Millwall have had 24 hours less to prepare for this long haul north which comes on the heels of their 1-0 home loss to the Blades.
That made it five without a win for the Lions and back-to-back home losses, with outgoing boss Harris insisting he has no intention of bowing out at The Den on the back of a trio of defeats.
Boro have the capability to outplay and outscore anyone, but a resilient Lions can give Harris the send-off his reign probably deserves.
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