Of all the promoted teams this season, Middlesbrough can be deemed the most satisfied with their campaign thus far.
In recent weeks, Aitor Karanka’s side have taken points off Arsenal, Manchester City and most recently champions Leicester. A narrow defeat to Chelsea further highlighted the progression made by the Teesiders in their returning Premier League term.
Against Hull City on Monday night, ‘Boro will be hoping to secure a second home win of the season. Despite their impressive run of results away from home, turning one point into three at the Riverside Stadium remains a difficult challenge to overcome for Karanka’s men.
On the contrary, Hull City’s recent form provides much optimism for ‘Boro, as Mike Phelan’s side have won once (home to Southampton) in the Premier League since August.
For Middlesbrough to secure three points against Hull, Karanka must pick this starting XI to further push his side away from relegation zone.
GK: Victor Valdes
After such a turbulent time with Manchester United, Victor Valdes stunned everyone by signing for the newly-promoted side in the summer.
Any question marks surrounding Valdes’ ability have been quickly quashed, with many believing he has been one of their star performers.
Valdes has been instrumental in ‘Boro building play from the back and has proven his reliability once more with a spate of impressive saves.
RB: Antonio Barragan
Spanish right-back Antonio Barragan has remained one of the most consistent performers for the Teesiders this season.
Signed from Valencia during the summer, Barragan has not looked out of place in the Premier League after failing to break through at Liverpool nearly a decade ago.
Against Hull, Barragan will be looked upon to provide solidity alongside the centre-backs, whilst providind an outlet on the overlap.
CB: Ben Gibson
He may be the nephew of the club’s owner but Ben Gibson is in this Boro side on merit. His steady performances in defence have been the backbone of Boro’s success against major sides this season and some fans are even demanding an England call-up.
Gibson’s aerial presence could be decisive in containing the Tigers, who have made themselves a force from set-pieces.
The young defender must ensure another stellar performance against Hull to further cement his status as Boro’s best defender.
CB: Calum Chambers
The Arsenal loanee is starting to settle into life at the Riverside Stadium and could finally guarantee his place in Karanka’s first-team plans with a convincing performance against Hull.
Chambers’ ability is evident enough but he still appears to be lacking confidence after a few years in the wilderness in north London.
Prone to making a mistake, Chambers must restore the faith paid by Karanka this weekend and ensure his partnership with Gibson remains solid.
LB: Fabio
Signed from Cardiff City in the summer, Fabio has made little impact on the ‘Boro first-team due to the impressive performances of George Friend.
The Brazilian defender has failed to hit the heights that were once expected during his time at Manchester United, but Fabio can finally prove his doubters wrong against Hull.
Facing the unenviable task of containing Robert Snodgrass, Fabio must silence the Scottish midfielder – who has been Hull’s biggest creative threat this term.
CM: Adam Forshaw
Liverpool-born Forshaw has been sensational in Boro’s bid to survive relegation.
Most notably at the Etihad Stadium, Forshaw brilliantly contained a fast-paced City side and didn’t shy away from his defensive responsibilities.
The hardworking midfielder has featured in every Premier League fixture so far this season and looks a shoe-in for Monday’s game.
CM: Marten de Roon
The scorer of Boro’s most famous goal this campaign, Dutch midfielder de Roon has been an integral part of Karanka’s impressive run of results.
Hull will attempt to overcome the Dutchman by imposing a physical style in midfield, but de Roon has proven his capabilities this season and another goal like at the Etihad Stadium could go a long way to improving Boro’s survival hopes.
CAM: Gaston Ramirez
Ramirez never looked comfortable in English football until Karanka signed the former Southampton midfielder last January.
The former Hull midfielder will be keen to get on the scoresheet against his old club and avenge his torrid time in Humberside by damaging their ropy defence.
The creativity of Ramirez could prove decisive, especially following Alvaro Negredo’s impressive run of form in front of goal.
RM: Adama Traore
It’s rather ridiculous Adama Traore is still only 20 years-old having played both Premier League and La Liga football already in his short career.
The Spanish winger has been devastatingly brilliant for Boro following his move from Aston Villa, his speed and trickery adding a new dynamic to his side’s attack.
Karanka will be hoping for another mesmeric display with the ball at feet against Hull and Traore is becoming an increasingly important player for the Boro boss.
LM: Stewart Downing
Mr. Middlesbrough. Downing can only be admired for dropping down a division to help Boro achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
Now his nobility has seen him play regularly for his boyhood team in the Premier League like he aspired to do just so.
Hull could provide a worthy challenge for Downing as he is yet to score a Premier League goal for ‘Boro since their return. Downing’s defensive responsibility will also be required with the recent form of Robert Snodgrass a cause for concern.
ST: Alvaro Negredo
Until last week’s display at Leicester City, fans have been calling for Negredo to be dropped from the first-team as his drought in front of goal continued.
It’s not just goals, however, but also the contribution of the Spaniard that has proved so successful for Boro this campaign.
His experience and physicality has created real problems for opposition defenders and could see the Hull City backline endure a rough spell on Monday night. ‘The Beast’ has previous against Hull City, scoring for Manchester City against the Tigers in August 2013.
