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Middlesbrough’s Alex Gilbert celebrates scoring(Image: PA)<\/p>\nHow we expect Middlesbrough to line up at Bristol City, as Kim Hellberg must decide whether to restore Alex Bangura and Alex GilbertMiddlesbrough’s Alex Gilbert celebrates scoring(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
Middlesbrough head to Bristol City this weekend looking to end their poor run at Ashton Gate, while making it five wins from five for new boss Kim Hellberg.<\/p>\n
Boro<\/a> have enjoyed an excellent start under the Swede, who replaced Rob Edwards last month. But this represents his biggest challenge yet, against a Robins side that Boro have not beaten away since 2020.<\/p>\n Hellberg<\/a> could welcome Dael Fry<\/a> back into the mix for the game after the defender was pictured training this week. But he remains without Aidan Morris. After last weekend\u2019s win over QPR, here\u2019s our predicted team.<\/p>\n GK – Sol Brynn<\/strong> – Boro\u2019s new style means Brynn may have to deal with fewer clean sheets moving forward. But that doesn\u2019t deter from the importance of Brynn this season. Assists along the way will certainly help!<\/p>\n DR – Callum Brittain<\/strong> – Thriving with the freedom he\u2019s been allowed by Hellberg to get forward more. He\u2019s intelligent in the way he does it without ever really looking likely to get caught out defensively.<\/p>\n DC – Luke Ayling<\/strong> – A typically solid and reliable return to the side last weekend. Though Fry could be back in the squad, a start seems unlikely, so Ayling surely continues.<\/p>\n DC – Alfie Jones<\/strong> – He continues to thrive at Boro after his summer move from Hull City. Along with Brittain, the pair have arguably been Boro\u2019s best signings of a really positive summer window.<\/p>\n DL – Matt Targett<\/strong> – It\u2019s harsh on Alex Bangura to not restore him after he was rested against QPR. Bangura probably offers a little more in attack, but away from home against a good Bristol City side, Targett feels like the safer option. It\u2019s a good problem to have.<\/p>\n CM – Hayden Hackney<\/strong> – In the form of his career right now. Hellberg\u2019s style is suiting him down to the ground. Hopefully Boro can hang on to him in January.<\/p>\n CM – Alan Browne<\/strong> – Similar to Bangura, Alex Gilbert could count himself unlucky to not be back in the side for this one. But, like Targett, for a tough away game, Browne just offers that extra nous and defensive responsibility. Browne was excellent against QPR.<\/p>\n RW – Morgan Whittaker<\/strong> – With six goals in six games, Whittaker heads to Bristol City this weekend looking to become the first Boro players since Brian Clough to score seven in seven consecutive games within the same season (Latte Lath did seven consecutive games, but the seventh was the first game of the next season).<\/p>\n LW – Riley McGree<\/strong> – It\u2019s been excellent to see McGree fully fit and in full flow in recent weeks. It\u2019s so clear when in this form how much better Boro are because of him. Hopefully that continues.<\/p>\n ST – David Strelec<\/strong> – Two goals in two for David Strelec after he missed the Charlton game through illness. It\u2019s great to see the Slovak benefitting from Hellberg\u2019s changes, and nice to see him getting a good run to show what he can do. The finish against QPR was clinical.<\/p>\n ST – Tommy Conway<\/strong> – A wonderful moment last weekend as the Riverside erupted when Conway fired home his penalty to end a 16-game run without a goal. Timely too, as Boro now head to his former home.<\/p>\n Having scored at Ashton Gate last term, only for his goal to be cancelled out as the Robins came from behind to win, Conway will be desperate to score and win this time around.<\/p>\n Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Middlesbrough FC<\/a> <\/strong>coverage and analysis.<\/p>\n Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here<\/a> <\/strong>to subscribe.<\/p>\n Your information will be hidden, you’ll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Middlesbrough-v-Birmingham-City-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
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