Ipswich-Middlesbrough live updates including team news, build-up and then match action
Middlesbrough face a must-win game against promotion rivals Ipswich Town to save their automatic promotion hopes.
Boro head to Portman Road winless in six and that sees them sitting three points behind Ipswich ahead of the game. The Tractor Boys have a game in hand and a superior goal difference as well, making the magnitude of this game for top-two hopes clear.
Only adding further to the pressure, fellow rivals Millwall and Southampton won on Saturday to extend their lead over Boro in the table, meaning Kim Hellberg knows clearly his side need a win at Ipswich if they're to keep themselves in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Can Boro end their winless run and kickstart a late surge towards promotion? Join us below for live updates of build-up, team news and then match updates on a make or break day for Boro.
Key Events
GOAL: Ipswich 1-1, McAteer (30 mins)
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GOAL: Boro 1-0, Strelec (25 mins)
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Kick-off
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Boro team news is in!
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HT 1-1
First half verdict
Been a struggle for Boro. They took the lead with virtually their only attack of the half. Have struggled with Ipswich's press and their pace in attack. Boro lead only lasted five minutes and the goal, with the run of McAteer is something Ipswich had threatened a few times prior. Boro's passing way off at times there, inviting pressure on. Boro fans understandably unhappy with a ref who's given a lot to Ipswich. But they're own side were second best there.
HT 1-1
Half-time: Ipswich 1-1 Boro
Level at the break.
41 mins 0-0
Half-chance Strelec
Another rare Boro attack as Gilbert gets it to the byline. His ball across lacks much power. It does reach Strelec who tries to hook it first-time towards goal but can't generate the power.
38 mins 1-1
Good save Brynn
Another 50-50 as Gilbert appears to be fouled that the ref doesn't give and Ipswich break. Philogene finds space in a shooting position and hits one well low to the bottom corner. Brynn down to tip this one round the post.
Boro fans letting Jarred Gillet know what they think. A lot of 50-50 decisions that all seem to be going Ipswich's way right now. Boro have been poor so far, but that's not helping.
30 mins 1-1
GOAL: Ipswich 1-1, McAteer (30 mins)
Ipswich level. Poor from Boro. Ball into Azon who flicks inside. Targett can't keep up with McAteer's dash inside while Ayling is caught ball watching and doesn't see it unfolding. McAteer picks up the flick and smashes one low into the bottom corner. Boro lead less than five minutes.
25 mins 0-1
GOAL: Boro 1-0, Strelec (25 mins)
Boro lead! Really well-worked goal. Brittain inside to Morris who picks out Browne just inside the box, wide right, beating the offside trap. Lovely ball across the face of goal where Strelec has a tap in.
24 mins 0-0
Furlong chance
Best of the game for either side so far as Ipswich tear Boro open with the quick interplay. Azon into McAteer who picks out the dart of right-back Furlong into the box ahead of Conway. He can only fire wide, however.
17 mins 0-0
Creating their own problems
Boro have been really poor in possession so far. The passing has been shoddy. Constantly giving it away in their own half, constantly putting team-mates under pressure. Ipswich smothering them with the press.
14 mins 0-0
Malanda
Interesting role. He's regularly stepping up into midfield alongside Morris when Boro have the ball, with Gilbert then getting further forward. He's more a midfielder here than a centre-back.
11 mins 0-0
Edgy from Brynn and Malanda
Boro been settling better into the game but an edgy moment there from nothing really. Ball over the top seemingly no danger. Malanda looking to let it run through but it's not reaching the box. That creates uncertainty as Brynn comes out but not quick enough. The flick up hits him on the shoulder which gets Boro off the hook.
6 mins 0-0
Ipswich start well
Playing some good football. Boro look open at the back and Ipswich are exploiting it. Azon the focal point, with plenty flicking off him and Nunez capable of running off Ayling so far. Not a convincing start from Boro.
2 mins 0-0
Line-up
Looks like 3-4-3 with Browne right and Conway left of Strelec. Gilbert and Morris.
Ayling more to the left of the back three, sticking closely to Nunez.
1 min 0-0
Kick-off
We are under way!
Here come the players!
It's time. It's make or break! Updates to follow!
The away end
510-mile round trip, 12pm Sunday KO. Sold-out Boro away end. Unbelievable as always.
Warm ups complete
Back down the tunnel for final instructions. Away end filling up nicely. We're ten minutes from kick-off now.
Ipswich practicing set-pieces
Not something you see often pre-match. They've clearly identified Boro's weakness...
Why it's must-win for Boro today
After yesterday's results, Boro sit fifth, four points behind Millwall and three behind Ipswich and Southampton.
If Ipswich win today they'll move six points clear of Boro with only nine points for Boro to play for. Ipswich would have 12 to play for and a superior goal difference that would effectively mean they'd only be able to pick up two more points this season for Boro to have a chance.
While a draw wouldn't completely kill Boro, it would still feel like a huge ask. Three points off Millwall, Southamton and Ipswich with so little time left and Ipswich's game in hand and goal difference in mind.
If, and it's a big if, Boro win though, what a race it sets up. Ipswich will still be favourites because of that game in hand and goal difference, but, with three to go, it would be Millwall 2nd on 73 points, then Ipswich, Southampton and Boro all on 72.
Boro, who would have finally ended the winless run, would then have home games against Sheff Wed and Watford - who've won one of their last eight - in their next two. So win today, and it's most definitely still on for Boro.
But, given they're winless in six and have only two wins in 11, getting that win is easier said than done.
McGree line
Will get more from Kim Hellberg after, but club sources indicating that it is an injury for Riley McGree. He got injured in training yesterday.
Leo Castledine
Interesting that Leo Castledine has travelled with the squad. Isn't in the squad today, but you'd hope it suggests he was really close to being involved.
Ipswich team news
Four changes for Ipswich after the midweek loss to Portsmouth. Leif Davis, Jack Taylor, Jaden Philogene and Ivan Azon all in.
Starting XI: Walton, Furlong, O’Shea (c), Greaves, Davis, Matusiwa, Taylor, McAteer, Nunez, Philogene, Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Kipre, Johnson, Neil, Mehmeti, Walle Egeli, Clarke, Akpom, Hirst.
Boro team news analysis
Although it's a boost to have Whittaker back in the squad, what a huge blow to be without Riley McGree. Will ask about that when I can, but that's going to be a huge loss, with Gilbert back into the starting XI for the first time since being hooked at half-time against Stoke in January.
It's two changes, with Ayling back in ahead of Sarmiento for a switch to a 3-5-2.
Whittaker is back on the bench, but options still light, with no Hackney or Castledine return and McGree now added to the list.
Starting XI: Brynn, Ayling, Fry, Malanda, Brittain, Morris, Browne, Gilbert, Targett, Conway, Strelec
Subs: Wildsmith, Edmundson, Bangura, Silvera, Whittaker, Hansen, Sarmiento, Sene, Ibeh
Boro team news is in!
Here's how they line-up, with two changes and no McGree today
Boro team new coming in five minutes
Some interesting calls for Hellberg today.
Does he go four or five at the back?
Is Matt Targett fit enough to start, and if not, who starts on the left?
Will any of the recently-injured players be fit enough to start or even make the bench?
Could Sontje Hansen or Kaly Sene get a rare start?
We'll have the answers in five minutes when teams are out.
Kieran McKenna's Boro verdict
On playing Wednesday-Sunday, whereas Boro didn't have a midweek game, McKenna said:
“There is no getting away from it, we are playing the team who run the most in the league and who have had eight days to prepare. I’d rather have been in that position. “But after two tough away games and getting back here late on Wednesday night, you don’t tend to like games getting moved to Sunday or 12pm in this division, but I think the extra day reduces that advantage. It gives us an extra bit of time to recover, so come Sunday we will be full of energy and be ready to go.”
On Boro and recent form, he said:
“It doesn’t change the bearing too much for me, to be honest. We always say, and we genuinely do, always focus on ourselves. “We know we are facing a really strong opponent on Sunday. They have been, stylistically, one of, if not the, dominant team in the league over the last few months, but have also dropped a lot of points. “We know we are going to have to play really well to beat them on Sunday. It is going to take a massive effort from the players and it’s going to take a real special Portman Road day, as they are a really good side. “What their form is coming into the game often doesn’t matter in games like this when it is top team against top team. They are a top team and it is going to take a massive effort and that is just what we are focusing on.”
On the scene
Lovely day for it in Suffolk. Early kick-off but already a warm day with lovely clear skies.
Boro injury news
Not ideal for Boro. Kim Hellberg was coy on injuries having recently explained he doesn't like to give too much away to the opposition.
He did say he hoped to welcome some new faces back, with many set to be tested in Saturday's training session before travelling.
Recently, Boro have been without Hayden Hackney, Morgan Whittaker, Alfie Jones, Alex Bangura and Leo Castledine. Matt Targett and Jeremy Sarmiento both came off against Portsmouth but were both spotted in training during the week. Sammy Silvera was unused in that game on his return to the bench and was also spotted in training.
Kim Hellberg's preview
The Boro boss said:
“Our aim is to win as many of the last four as possible and then see where we end up from that. We want to do as much as we can to be as high as possible. "We probably have to win the game to be in a good spot [to still challenge for second]. But then again, you never know what's going to happen. But it's easy to do the math and conclude that we probably need to win to put ourselves in a good position to be second. "If we do that we're in a good position again. That's how it works. But I think everyone can do the math and see that if we are going to finish second I think we probably need to win this game, yeah."
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