Middlesbrough lie in wait for Crewe as the Alex head to the North East looking to pull of an upset in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
New Boro gaffer Jonathan Woodgate is yet to taste victory after two Championship games & is set to ring the changes for the contest at The Riverside.
Crewe are full of confidence after netting twice and winning away from home at Oldham on Saturday - both feats that took until October to do last season.
It was penalty shootout heartache for the Alex in the first round of this competition last season. After drawing 1-1 with Fleetwood Town after 90 minutes at Gresty Road, the Cod Army eventually kept their cool from the spot to progress to round two.
Last season, Middlesbrough progressed all the way to the quarter-finals of the competition before eventually losing out to Burton Albion. On their way, they beat Notts County (pens), Rochdale, Preston (pens) & Premier League side Crystal Palace.
A tough contest then for Dave Artell & his team, but with all the pressure on the home side, it might just be one they'll enjoy.
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Date: Tuesday 13 August 2019
Competition: Carabao Cup - First Round
Venue: The Riverside
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Previous Meeting at Host Club: Middlesbrough 1-0 Crewe (February 1998)
Video below; Last season's Carabao Cup First Round tie with Fleetwood Town
Team News:
Crewe: Boss Dave Artell has said he will field a strong team for the match to give his side the best possible chance of causing a cup upset.
Only Nicky Hunt remains unavailable through injury, though his return is expected soon. Olly Lancashire made a successful debut on Saturday after recovering from his problem & could keep his place.
James Jones, Oli Finney & Callum Ainley are all pushing for starts, and goalkeeper Dave Richards will be hoping to get the nod after sitting out the first two league games.
Middlesbrough: Manager Jonathan Woodgate has told local media that he plans to ring the changes for tonight's match.
After naming an unchanged team for their opening two Sky Bet Championship games, several Boro fringe players look set to get their chance to impress the new gaffer against the Alex.
Woodgate said all three new summer signings (Marcus Browne, Marc Bola & Anfernee Dijksteel) will start the match at The Riverside as he looks for those currently not in the team to give him a headache ahead of their trip to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
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