BORO v CARDIFF: BIG-MATCH FOCUS
What time is Middlesbrough v Cardiff City kick-off?
Middlesbrough v Cardiff City kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, February 27.
Is it on TV?
No, the game will not be televised live.
What about live streaming?
Cardiff City will be streaming the game live on their website and match passes for those viewing in the UK can be bought for £10.
You can also follow all the action on the WalesOnline live blog from 12.30pM.
What is the latest team news?
Cardiff City could welcome Joe Ralls back for this weekend’s clash with Boro.
The midfielder has missed the last four games, having last turned out in the 2-1 win over Rotherham on February 9. However, he appears to have shaken off that ankle injury now and will look to force his way back into Mick McCarthy’s established side.
McCarthy has ruled out the return of Lee Tomlin despite the player, once of Boro, having twice played for Steve Morison’s under-23s in the last week. He is still working his way back to full fitness.
Junior Hoilett is in contention to start once again despite being omitted from the match-day squad against Bournemouth in midweek, while Jordi Osei-Tutu is on schedule to return from Arsenal for the week beginning March 8.
For Boro, Ashley Fletcher is expected to be out for two to three weeks, which will be a big blow for Neil Warnock.
Meanwhile, both Marcus Tavernier and Yannick Bolasie continue their training to get back to fitness though neither sound ready to play on Saturday.
Who is the referee?
Jarred Gillett is the man in the middle. Assistants will be Daniel Leach and Wade Smith, with Tom Nield the fourth official. The
Australian was in charge when Cardiff won 2-0 at Bristol City earlier this month.
What are the latest betting odds?
Middlesbrough win - 13/8 Draw - 21/10
Cardiff win - 9/5
(Odds courtesy of The Pools, correct at time of publishing)
What have the managers said? Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock:
“[Mick] was my apprentice at Barnsley. He was the same old Mick McCarthy back then. He could play a bit.
“He did my boots for a year - not very well. You couldn’t have got anybody better at Cardiff, I spoke to him and said ‘you’ve got a great group of lads’.”
Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy:
“He is a good mate of mine, Warny [Warnock]. Obviously for 90 minutes on Saturday he won’t be and it will be the same feeling for him.
“He’s always been bright and innovative in the way he plays.
“If we come off on Saturday and I say to him ‘that was a nice game Neil, you’re really pleasant to play against’, I think he’d be as off as I would be.”
Match facts
■Middlesbrough have taken just one point from their last five league matches against Cardiff City (D1 L4).
■Cardiff haven’t won three consecutive away league matches against Middlesbrough since January 1928.
■Middlesbrough have lost more home league matches in 2021 than any other Championship side (5).
■Since McCarthy took charge as Cardiff boss in January, the Bluebirds have won four more points than any other side (20 W6 D2).
■Mick McCarthy hasn’t won seven consecutive league games in English football since November 2008 when he was Wolves manager, with the club winning the Championship title that season.