This Week's Opposition: Middlesbrough

Take a closer look at Portsmouth's next opponent in the Championship.

Following the 2-2 draw with Oxford United on Easter Monday, Pompey go up to the North East next to take on automatic promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

MANAGER

Kim Hellberg is now at the helm of Middlesbrough, having taken over in November following Rob Edwards’ departure to Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 38-year-old Swede was brought in from Stockholm-based side Hammarby IF and has so far secured 12 wins from 25 matches, accruing a win percentage of 48%.

ONE TO WATCH

Australian international Riley McGree is our ‘One To Watch’.

The 27-year-old has registered 5 goals & 3 assists this season and recently featured in friendly victories for The Socceroos over Cameroon and Curacao, claiming an assist in a 5-1 win against the latter.

TOP SCORER

Morgan Whittaker is currently Boro’s leading scorer with 11 goals & 6 assists to his name in the league at this stage.

The 25-year-old former Plymouth Argyle & Swansea City forward has, however, not been in the squad recently.

Whittaker hasn’t stepped foot on to the pitch in a Middlesbrough shirt since a 58-minute outing in a 1-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic on March 11th.

CURRENT FORM

Middlesbrough may be in 3rd place heading into the weekend’s action but their form has tailed off in recent weeks.

Kim Hellberg’s side had occupied the automatic promotion spots for the majority of the campaign but have now dropped out following a run of 5 games without a win.

Their last victory came 5 weeks ago, defeating Queens Park Rangers by 4 goals to nil at Loftus Road on March 8th.

The reverse of this fixture at Fratton Park on October 4th saw the Blues victorious by a goal to nil thanks to a first half goal from Yang Min-hyeok.

Will the Blues bounce back to winning ways following 8 without victory or will this be Boro’s day?

Find out by tuning in to Pompey Live on Express FM this Saturday (April 11th) afternoon from 2pm - Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and Danny Thompson will be on hand reporting LIVE from the Riverside Stadium with pre-match build-up, half-time analysis and post-game reaction.

Kick-off: 3pm!