Preview: Bristol City v Middlesborough

MIDDLESBROUGH
Boro are one of the bookies’ favourites to be promoted to the Premier League this season. The North East club have purchased well bringing back Stewart Downing while securing the services of strikers Christian Stuani and David Nugent. Last year ended in disappointment for Middlesbrough, losing out to Norwich City in the Championship play-off final. However, they’ve started the campaign well five points from their opening three games, including an emphatic 3-0 victory over Bolton. 

MANAGER
Aitor Karanka – Former Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao defender who won one cap for Spain in 1995. In the late 2000s, the 41-year-old began his managerial career with Spain Under-18s before becoming Jose Mourinho’s assistant at Real Madrid in 2010. Karanka left the role three years later after the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti and was offered the chance of managing in England five months later with Middlesbrough. 

STAR MAN
Kike – Former Spain Under-20 international who made 144 appearances for Murcia in five Segunda Division seasons, scoring 48 goals. The 25-year-old striker moved to Middlesbrough in 2014 for €3.5m and has scored 15 goals for the Riverside club, three of which have come in the opening three matches of the Sky Bet Championship campaign. 

OFFICIALS
Paul Tierney is appointed as the man in the middle. He will be assisted by Richard Wild and Philip Dermott. The fourth official will be Mark Heywood. 

TICKETS
The match is pay on the day for City supporters. 

LAST TIME OUT
Bristol City 2-0 Middlesbrough (2013) – City continued their unbeaten home record under Sean O’Driscoll thanks to goals from Albert Adomah and Steven Davies. Adomah opened the scoring with a rasping effort from 18 yards then Davies fired home on the angle to lift City off the bottom of the table. 

LAST SEASON
Championship: 4th 
FA Cup: Fifth round (lost to Arsenal) 
Capital One Cup: Third round (lost to Liverpool) 
  
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2005/06, Boro came back from 3-0 down in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the UEFA Cup to reach the final, where they lost 4-0 to Sevilla. 

ODDS
Sky Bet make Middlesbrough heavy favourites at 4/7 while City are priced at 5/1. A draw is available at 14/5.