Cardiff City vs Middlesbrough Preview
This weekend Middlesbrough make the long journey down to the Welsh capital as they take on Cardiff at the Cardiff City stadium.
Sitting in 9th place and four points off the final play-off position, Boro go into this game playing catch up and know only a win will do against a Cardiff side that have taken many by surprise this season.
The Bluebirds are just one point off the top two with 58 points to their name, 10 more than their opposition this weekend, and sit in 4th place.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cardiff after the game on Tuesday, manager Neil Warnock called for his players to 'embrace the pressure' after his sides 2-0 win.
"We've just got to enjoy the moment,
"We have another tough one on Saturday, a different type of game because Middlesbrough will come to try and win the game and they have good players.
"But I'm looking forward to it, I'm looking forward to all the run-in.
"We're safe now, we can't get relegated, so let's enjoy it. We've got a good side and I think we can get better." said Warnock.
The last time these sides met Cardiff walked away with all three points thanks to a late penalty from Joe Ralls in a close game which ended 1-0 to the Bluebirds.
Both teams go into this game with no fresh injury concerns after neither team suffered any injuries to players last time out, Rudy Gestede will be hoping he retains his place for Boro as he aims to play against his former club.
The striker missed the game last time out through injury and the Benin international will be looking to add to his goal tally which has seen him score only league goal.
Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis will be looking to winger Adama Traore to produce the goods again after his brilliant performance at the weekend against Reading.
The 22 year old winger scored two and won a penalty and was a constant menice throughout the game.
After the game Traore told the Middlesbrough official website that manager Tony Pulis is the reason behind his good form, he said:
“He’s been a big influence on me since he came in and I want to keep working hard for him, not just in an attacking sense but defensively as well.
“I went to celebrate with him to say ‘thank you’ and that’s what it’s all about. I want more, so I will keep working hard every day.
He then added: “Every couple of days he’s working with me, telling me how I need to move, with the ball or without the ball, where to be on the pitch. Because I’m listening it’s helping me to get more goals and assists.
“The whole thing is about what you want, and I want to work hard on the pitch to get better. The manager has given me a lot of confidence in the final third, he’s told me he knows I have a lot of quality and that I should start shooting more myself.
“Now I’m trying to make good decisions in the final third and that sometimes is to shoot. I need to keep repeating my actions and I’ll get more goals and assists. I want to be the best player possible.”
Jake's Prediction: Cardiff 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
Credit to The Northern echo and The Sun for the imagery used in this article.