Middlesbrough vs Millwall preview
Friday 18 January 2019 10:40, UK
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis has no fresh selection issues for the Sky Bet Championship clash with Millwall.
Ryan Shotton has been missing with a knee problem since December 22 and fellow defender Aden Flint with a hamstring injury since the following weekend, and both will be absent once again.
Daniel Ayala was a doubt for last Saturday's 2-1 league win at Birmingham with a knock sustained during the FA Cup third round win over Peterborough, but played the full 90 minutes and suffered no ill-effects. Loan signing Rajiv van la Parra was handed his Boro debut against Posh but is yet to make his league bow for the club after being an unused substitute last weekend.
Millwall boss Neil Harris will be without striker Tom Elliott as he faces a minimum of six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury suffered in the early stages of last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Blackburn. However, winger Ben Marshall, who spent the second half of last season at The Den, will hope for a second debut for the Lions after returning this week from parent club Norwich.
Striker Lee Gregory was used as a second-half sub against Rovers following a two-game lay-off with a hamstring injury, and he will look for further involvement. Captain Shaun Hutchinson came through that game unscathed on his return from a gashed shin, but back-up goalkeeper Ben Amos is still out with a chipped bone in his finger.
Opta stats
Middlesbrough have won each of their last two Championship home games against Millwall, scoring five times and conceding none.
Millwall haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 12 league matches against Middlesbrough (W4 D2 L6), drawing 2-2 on the opening day of this season.
Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga is looking to score in three consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since November 2014, when he did so for Nottingham Forest.
The last three Championship goals Millwall have conceded have been scored in the 89th, 86th and 87th minutes - they conceded in the 87th and 90th minute against Middlesbrough in August.
Tony Pulis is unbeaten in his last nine matches against Millwall in all competitions (W4 D5 L0), since losing 1-3 in April 2003 as Stoke manager.
Millwall haven't won consecutive away Championship matches since a six-game winning run between January and March 2018.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 0-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
