Middlesbrough will be looking to maintain their place in the automatic promotion places this weekend, but face a difficult task against Swansea City.  

Tony Pulis’ side sit second on 17 points, and whilst they will fancy their chance of picking up another three points at home against the Swans, Graham Potter’s side will offer them a stern test.

It’s been a steady start to life back in the second-tier for the Welsh side, who have 12 points and sit 10^th.

Here at FLW, we look at the tactical battle between the two sides, starting with the starting XIs we expect to see:

Middlesbrough aren’t likely to make many changes to the side that beat Bolton Wanderers during the week, with Pulis looking set to stick with a 4-3-3 system.

Britt Assombalonga is the only man we expect to be recalled to the starting XI, after the striker stepped off the bench to score against Bolton during the week.

Swansea’s centre-backs aren’t the most mobile, so facing Assombalonga up against them could give Middlesbrough some joy.

From the flanks, Martin Braithwaite and Stewart Downing will be very advanced, whilst we can expect the same from George Saville and Jonny Howson in central midfield, with both very capable of scoring goals.

Pulis will want players getting in and around the box, with Adam Clayton offering defensive cover in a holding midfield role.

Add to that, Boro will be looking to make their height advantage count at set-pieces.

From a Swansea point of view, we are expecting a 4-4-2, with Bersant Celina absent, leaving the Potter without his trusted No.10.

Out of possession, it’ll be two solid banks of four, but with the ball, Swansea will look to put as much pressure on the Middlesbrough defence as they can, with some very direct players available to Potter.

Nathan Dyer and Barrie McKay will play high and look to isolate the Boro full-backs, with Jay Fulton and Tom Carroll looking set to return from injury to anchor a midfield four.

Selecting Joel Asoro alongside the returning Oli McBurnie could also be a shrewd move.

Aden Flint isn’t the most mobile centre-back, so we could see Asoro looking to get on his shoulder, where he is bound to get some joy.

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