At a time when the Canaries sit in seventh position, Boro are all the way down in 14th and will be more concerned about being dragged into a relegation battle.

Match preview

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick on January 23, 2024 © Reuters

There was once the perception that Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick were a match made in heaven, with the former midfielder likely to eventually go on to a bigger club.

However, Carrick has failed to build on last season's improvement, with Boro now a massive 12 points adrift of the playoffs and realistically out of contention for promotion.

Just two wins have come from nine Championship fixtures this calendar year, with the club also on a run of four defeats in five to leave them just six points above the relegation zone.

Although a 2-1 triumph was recently posted at leaders Leicester City, Middlesbrough have since suffered 2-0 defeats to Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City respectively.

With games against Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City on the horizon, Carrick has some pivotal games to negotiate, and failing to win either would ramp the pressure on his shoulders in the dugout.

Carrick must first try to find a way to get the better of an in-form Norwich side who have lost just once in their 10 league games since the start of 2024.

Since a 1-0 defeat at Leeds United, the Canaries have accumulated 14 points from a possible 18, with their most recent victory coming by a 1-0 scoreline against Sunderland on Saturday.

While it took an 81st-minute goal to get the better of the Black Cats, a run of six matches without a clean sheet was brought to an end, much to the relief of David Wagner.

Norwich make the trip to the Riverside Stadium with the 18th-best away record in the second tier, winning just four of 17 games, but they have at least posted draws in their most recent two such matches.

Middlesbrough Championship form:

Norwich City Championship form:

Team News

Norwich City manager David Wagner before the match on January 28, 2024 © Reuters

Carrick has much to ponder regarding the selection of his Middlesbrough XI, with the likelihood being that several alterations will be made.

Lukas Engel, Finn Azaz and Samuel Silvera can all expect to be recalled to the side, while Anfernee Dijksteel is an option at right-back.

Dael Fry is pushing for a return to the squad after injury, but the likes of Isaiah Jones and Hayden Hackney remain sidelined.

Wagner may decide against making any alterations to his Norwich XI, despite fresh legs being required to get over the line against Sunderland.

If a change is made, the most likely introduction is Sydney van Hooijdonk for his first Championship start in a move that would see Josh Sargent drop into a deeper role.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Ayling, Van den Berg, Clarke, Engel; Barlaser, O'Brien; Forss, Azaz, Silvera; Latte Lath

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Stacey, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis; Sara, McLean; Fassnacht, Sargent, Sainz; Van Hooijdonk

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We say: Middlesbrough 1-2 Norwich City

Given the quality of some of Boro's players, they may click back into gear at some stage. Nevertheless, that may still not be enough to outclass this Norwich side, who we expect to battle their way to victory at the Riverside Stadium.

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