Our prediction for this Championship match:
Middlesbrough will be aiming to build on a thrilling 5-1 win over Norwich City when they take on Hull City in the Championship round 43. The Boro are with one foot in the playoffs, but they have slim automatic promotion chances. Aaron Ramsey has joined the likes of Matt Clarke and Dael Fry in the recovery room, with Alex Mowatt likely to replace Ramsey in the starting XI.
The Tigers, on the other hand, are stuck in the middle of the table with 53 points on their account. Considering that Hull City head into the season finale with the lack of motivation, we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. As for the visiting side, all Ryan Longman, Aaron Connolly, Oscar Estupinan, Cyrus Christie, Benjamin Tetteh, Nathan Baxter, and Vaughn Covil should miss out with injuries. You should know that Middlesbrough are eyeing their 13th home win of the process.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Hull City):
Hull City are a professional football club that was founded back in 1904. The Tigers used to play their home games at Boothferry Park, but they moved to the KC Stadium in 2002. The stadium capacity is 24,450.
Hull impressed in the 2015/2016 Championship campaign and, as a result, they returned to the English Premier League. Hull City fans consider Leeds United their main rivals, but Sheffield United are regarded as Hull’s fierce rivals as well. Steve Bruce took over the reins at the club in 2012 and the experienced tactician helped the team book a place in the 2013/2014 FA Cup final, but Arsenal proved to be a big catch for the Tigers in the title decider.
Hull City finished the 2013/2014 Premier League campaign in 16th place in the standings to achieve their highest ever top flight finish. It has to be noted that Curtis Davies was named the team’s player of the year in the 2013/2014 season.