PL2 Preview: Middlesbrough vs Saints

THE MATCH

Middlesbrough vs Saints
Premier League 2
Heritage Park
Sunday 29th August, 12pm BST

Dave Horseman’s side are on the road for the second time this week, visiting Middlesbrough four days after the draw at Nottingham Forest.

Saints B got their opening point of the season on matchday two, drawing 0-0 with Forest on Wednesday night.

They will be looking to build on the point when they visit Boro, who will be eager for their first points of the season on Sunday.

After an opening day defeat at Wolves, Craig Liddle’s side narrowly lost out to a talented Aston Villa side 2-1 at home; Isaac Fletcher getting their only goal of the game on 33 minutes.

LAST MEETING

The two sides haven’t met since the 2018/19 season, when Saints did the double over Boro on their way to the Division 2 title.

Saints came from behind to win 2-1 in January 2019 thanks to goals from Jonathan Afolabi and Tyreke Johnson.

The win lifted Radhi Jaïdi’s youngsters’ level with Reading and was the latest in a new year winning run.

After the game, Jaïdi said; “We created chances in the second period, and they put them away, which gave us the upper hand.”

MANAGER’S NOTES

After what he labelled a positive point at Forest on Wednesday, Horseman will be keen to build on that this Sunday.

“We’re looking forward to the game,” he said, “I watched them this week and they look a good side. They got beaten by Villa but Villa will be one of the better sides in our division this year for sure.

“It’s another tough game and we’ll have another young team. But if we perform like we did at Forest then we will be okay in every game.

“We’ve just got to make sure we’re on it in both boxes, then we’ll soon turn some of these draws and close games into wins.”