Boro predicted team vs Portsmouth with two changes plus Hansen and Sene decision

While Boro’s star man remains out, Hellberg confirmed that Targett will be involved and will play through the pain after his recent injury setback, while Sammy Silvera and Morgan Whittaker could also return to the squad.

The Boro boss is seeking to pick the team that helps Boro get back to winning ways after a disappointing run of five games without a win. Despite that, performances have been positive, and are reasons to believe that their fortune can turn soon.

Among the decisions Hellberg will ponder ahead of Pompey’s visit will be whether or not Sontje Hansen and Kaly Sene did enough in their outings at Swansea to step up to the starting XI. Here’s how we predict Boro will line-up this weekend.

GK - Sol Brynn - The Boro keeper needs the kind of reaction he’s previously had after errors. He’ll know he was poor in conceding the penalty at Swansea and will want a big end to the season to cement his place as Boro’s first-choice long-term.

DR - Callum Brittain - While his end-product has been questioned of late, he came up with a big moment at Swansea as he won Boro their important second-half penalty. Hopefully it proves a big confidence boost.

DC - Dael Fry - Portsmouth are a big physical side and Fry will therefore almost certainly be back in the side to contend with that. Another goal from him at the other end wouldn’t go amiss either!

DC - Adilson Malanda - It’s a toss of a coin between Malanda and Luke Ayling for who starts alongside Fry, assuming, as we expect, it’s a back four again. We’ve gone with Malanda for his mobility and slightly better aerial duelling.

DL - Matt Targett - Having missed out at Swansea, Hellberg confirmed Targett would be back and playing through the pain again. He’s done it before this season and will hopefully do so again with minimal fuss. Finley Munroe did well at Swansea, all things considered, but he’s a young lad in a high-pressure situation.

CM - Aidan Morris - After two unbelievable performances off the back of a long journey home from the USA, this week provided Hellberg the opportunity to give Morris and other international players an extra day off. Hopefully that shows in another energetic and influential Morris performance.

CM - Alan Browne - Boro will need fight and experienced heads in these final five games, when the pressure is on. Browne undoubtedly provides that, and has proved more often than not this term that he has the quality too.

RW - Jeremy Sarmiento - It’s still not really happening for Sarmiento in a Boro shirt, but he was lively early on at Swansea City. While Whittaker could be back, it feels unlikely to be from the start. As for Hansen, his Swansea cameo was positive, but it’d still be a huge surprise if he started.

LW - Riley McGree - Like Morris, the Australian international has had an extra day off this week. He was influential against Millwall and Swansea, but notably ran out of steam against Swansea. He’s undoubtedly going to be a key player in the final five games if he stays injury-free.

ST - Tommy Conway - Although from the penalty spot, Conway moved to nine goals for the season as he held his nerve to earn Boro a point at Swansea. It’s the latest moment that we can only hope kickstarts a scoring run for the striker.

ST - David Strelec - After such a positive performance against Millwall, Strelec really struggled for an impact at Swansea. But, much like Hansen, it feels highly unlikely that Sene is thrown in from the start yet, with work to be done to earn Hellberg’s trust that much.

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