This Week's Opposition: Middlesbrough

Jake Smith provides a closer look at Pompey's next Championship opponent.

2 games into their return to the 2nd tier, Pompey sit 15th and unbeaten following back-to-back stalemates, however despite not being defeated in the league yet this season, the Blues haven’t managed to pick up a win either.

They’ll be looking to do so this weekend as they make the long trip up to Teesside to take on the Boro.

MANAGER

Middlesbrough are managed now by former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, who took charge at the Riverside Stadium in 2022, succeeding Chris Wilder.

The 43-year-old has achieved 46 wins from 90 games since taking charge and, as a result, he currently holds the 2nd best win percentage of any Boro manager since the club was admitted to the Football League.

That win percentage of 51.1 is behind only Harold Stephenson, who managed 52.9.

ONE TO WATCH

On this occasion, our one to watch is Middlesbrough’s number 20, Finn Azaz.

The attacking midfielder, who signed for the club for an undisclosed fee from Aston Villa in January, has featured in all 3 of Boro’s games this season.

Azaz, 23, failed to make his competitive debut for Villa but enjoyed 3 successful loan spells away - 1 at Newport County before spending 2 seasons at Plymouth.

TOP SCORER

Middlesbrough have managed just 1 goal from their 2 league fixtures this campaign and that was scored by forward Emmanuel Latte Lath.

The 25-year-old was Boro’s top scorer in the league last season with 16 goals from 30 appearances, ranking joint-6th in the Championship’s goal scoring charts.

In Boro’s 3-0 win at Leeds in the 1st Round of the Carabao Cup, Anfernee Dijksteel, Delano Burgzorg and Josh Coburn all managed to get on to the scoresheet.

CURRENT FORM

Michael Carrick’s side go into this weekend in 11th position and off the back of a win and a defeat from their opening 2 league games of the season.

On the opening day, Boro secured a 1-0 victory at home to Swansea City before going to Elland Road and beating Leeds United 3-0 in the 1st Round of the Carabao Cup 4 days later.

Their most recent game was last Saturday, which presented a trip to Pride Park, where they would taste defeat by a goal to nil despite dominating hosts Derby for large periods of the match.

Last campaign produced an 8th place finish and was Middlesbrough’s 7th consecutive in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League in 2017, the same year Portsmouth were promoted from League Two as title-winners.

Will it be a first win of the season for the Blues and a second consecutive defeat to a newly-promoted side for Boro?

Catch all of the unmissable action when Pompey Live returns with full coverage of the game, this Saturday (August 24th) afternoon from 2pm. Jake Smith will be joined alongside Kirsty Roxanne and Ryan Honey at the Riverside Stadium.

Kick-off: 3pm!