Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn Rovers

Middlesbrough will look to extend their impressive goal-scoring run to four consecutive matches when they host Blackburn Rovers at Riverside Stadium on Wednesday evening in a highly anticipated Championship clash. Fresh off a resounding victory over Oxford United, Boro are in fine form, while Blackburn, having seen their weekend match postponed, are eager to get back into competitive action.

Middlesbrough’s recent form has been nothing short of outstanding. After suffering a 3-0 defeat to Coventry City at home in early November, the Teesside club has hit a rich vein of form, winning three consecutive Championship matches in the league, with the most recent one being a stunning 6-0 demolition of Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. This victory marked another statement performance from the Boro, as they have now netted 11 goals in their last two matches, collecting all six possible points. Their position in the league has been steadily improving, and they now sit in fifth place, just five points behind second-placed Sunderland, as they prepare for the visit of Blackburn.

The key figure in their attacking resurgence has been Ivorian forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, who has been on fire since ending his early-season goal drought. The striker scored an outstanding hat-trick against Oxford United, proving his quality and reaffirming his importance to the team. Latte Lath has been instrumental in Boro’s recent victories, helping to put their earlier struggles behind them. His contribution has been invaluable, and the goal-scoring exploits of the Ivorian will be crucial as Middlesbrough seeks to continue their climb up the Championship standings.

In addition to Latte Lath's brilliance, the performance of Republic of Ireland international Finn Azaz has also been a major highlight. In the win over Oxford, Azaz was directly involved in four of the six goals, contributing two assists and scoring a goal of his own. The versatile midfielder, who has been a standout performer this season, now leads the Championship’s assist chart with seven assists to his name. Azaz’s creativity and vision have been central to Middlesbrough's attacking play, and his performances will be closely watched as the team aims to secure a playoff spot by the end of the season.

Despite this strong run, Middlesbrough’s record against Blackburn remains a source of frustration for fans. The North-East side has been unable to defeat Rovers in their last 10 meetings in the league. The last time Boro beat Blackburn was in February 2019, when they won 1-0 at Ewood Park, thanks to a solitary strike from Britt Assombalonga. The club will be hoping to break this barren spell and earn a crucial three points on home soil. A win against Blackburn would not only extend their winning streak but also boost their chances of securing a playoff spot come the end of the campaign.

On the other hand, Blackburn Rovers have had an eventful period of their own, albeit with some disruptions. Their scheduled match against Portsmouth on Saturday was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park, meaning they had an extended break following their last Championship fixture. While the postponement provided Blackburn with more time to rest and recover, they will now face a demanding trip to Riverside Stadium, where they will be hoping to bounce back and get back on track.

Blackburn’s most recent competitive outing saw them secure a 3-1 victory away at Cardiff City on November 9. This win was a much-needed one for Rovers, as it marked their first away victory of the season after six unsuccessful attempts. The star of the show was Austrian forward Andreas Weimann, who scored a clinical brace, while midfielder Lewis Baker also added to the tally, helping Rovers claim all three points in Wales. This victory was an important boost for John Eustace’s side, and they will be eager to build on it as they face a tough challenge against Middlesbrough.

Despite the positive result, Blackburn currently sit in ninth place in the Championship, four points behind the playoff positions. Their primary objective for the rest of the season will be to close the gap to the top six and secure a playoff berth, which is very much within their reach. However, to achieve this, they will need to improve their consistency, particularly away from home, where they have struggled for much of the season.

The departure of last season’s top scorer Sammie Szmodics to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town during the summer left a void in Blackburn’s attacking lineup. Szmodics had been one of the standout performers for Rovers, and his loss to a Premier League club raised questions about how they would replace his goal-scoring ability. In response, Blackburn moved quickly to bring in several attacking reinforcements, including gifted winger Todd Cantwell from Rangers. Cantwell, who joined Blackburn in the summer, has shown glimpses of his potential but has yet to fully fill the void left by Szmodics' departure. His skill and creativity are crucial to Blackburn’s attacking play, and Rovers will be hoping that the winger can rediscover his best form as they look to push for a top-six finish.

Another summer acquisition, Japan international Yuki Ohashi, was expected to make a significant impact after scoring four goals early in the season. However, Ohashi has struggled in recent weeks, going on a 10-game goal drought in the Championship. This lack of form has put extra pressure on the rest of Blackburn's attacking unit, and they will need to find a way to get back to scoring regularly if they are to challenge for promotion.

The upcoming match between Middlesbrough and Blackburn promises to be a fascinating tactical contest. Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough have shown an attacking prowess that is difficult to ignore, with the team’s recent performances demonstrating their ability to break down opponents and score goals in quick succession. Their high-scoring victories suggest that Carrick has found the right balance between defensive solidity and attacking fluency, and his side will be looking to continue in the same vein.

In contrast, Blackburn will likely approach the game with caution, aware of the attacking threat posed by Boro. Eustace will be keen for his side to remain disciplined defensively while looking for opportunities to exploit any weaknesses in Middlesbrough’s backline. Blackburn's counter-attacking style could prove effective against a Boro team that likes to commit players forward, and Eustace will be hoping his side can capitalize on any space left by their opponents.

The key battle in the match will be in midfield, where Azaz and his fellow Boro playmakers will look to control the tempo of the game. Blackburn’s midfielders, including the experienced Lewis Baker, will need to be at their best to disrupt Middlesbrough’s attacking flow and prevent them from getting into their rhythm. Additionally, the duel between the two teams’ forwards will be pivotal, with Latte Lath and Weimann both in fine form and capable of deciding the game in an instant.

Both teams have significant aspirations for the remainder of the Championship season. Middlesbrough, buoyed by their recent goal-scoring exploits, will aim to break their poor record against Blackburn and extend their winning streak to four matches. Their attacking depth and form make them one of the most dangerous teams in the league at the moment, and a win on Wednesday would further strengthen their playoff ambitions.

Blackburn, on the other hand, are in a race against time to climb into the playoff positions. Their recent victory over Cardiff has given them a much-needed boost, but they will need to be more consistent to remain in contention for a top-six finish. A positive result against Middlesbrough would be a huge statement, and it would help them close the gap to the playoffs, keeping their promotion hopes alive.

As both teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting encounter, all eyes will be on Riverside Stadium on Wednesday evening, where the Championship’s best will collide in a battle for vital points. With both sides capable of scoring goals in abundance, fans can expect a thrilling spectacle as Middlesbrough and Blackburn fight for supremacy in one of the most unpredictable leagues in Europe.