Boro predicted team vs Watford as Kim Hellberg has play-off fatigue to consider

Boro are rank outsiders now to finish in the top two, but with their play-off spot pretty much guaranteed now, the pressure is off as Watford visit the Riverside for the final home game of the regular season.

Though Boro returned to winning ways on Wednesday evening, it was a tired looking performance, which lacked the usual energy. With a likely play-off campaign in mind, and injury risk to consider, might Hellberg shuffle the pack for the game against the Hornets? Here’s our predicted team.

GK - Sol Brynn - Such was Sheffield Wednesday’s lack of quality on the night, Brynn only had one save to make on Wednesday. But it was an important one that preserved Boro’s slender lead. Hopefully he can continue rebuilding his confidence with more big saves ahead of the play-offs.

DR - Callum Brittain - While Boro could do with resting players like Brittain ahead of the play-offs, they don’t have any natural replacements unless Luke Ayling moves across. Alan Browne covered well during Brittain’s injury too. But given injuries elsewhere in the squad, Boro need both in other roles.

DC - Luke Ayling - We’re going with Ayling over Fry for this one, simply because it is probably wise to only give Fry and Ayling one 90 in the next two games, to ensure they’re not overcooked heading into the play-offs. With Wrexham having the Kieffer Moore threat, it makes sense to save Fry for that one.

DC - Adilson Malanda - Malanda has been stepping up into midfield in recent weeks, but looked less comfortable when playing as an actual midfielder. He could probably do with a rest himself, but with injuries, Boro’s only other option would be George Edmundson, who clearly isn’t trusted anymore.

DL - Alex Bangura - While Matt Targett has been playing through injury a lot this season, and will likely make himself available for Saturday, Bangura is back from injury and should be capable of coming into the side. Failing that, it’s worth giving Finley Munroe his chance. Targett will be a big player for Boro in the play-offs, so needs to be managed carefully.

CM - Aidan Morris - Morris fits into the ‘could do with a rest’ camp too, but the problem Boro have is a lack of alternative options. Hayden Hackney and Riley McGree remain out, and Alex Gilbert missed out in midweek too. For what it’s worth, Morris is in superb form. But it only heightens the importance of not losing him to injury.

RW - Morgan Whittaker - Returning to the side with a goal on Wednesday, Boro will now look to build his fitness and sharpness for the play-offs. They won’t want to overcook him, but he was brought off after an hour, so it makes sense to stick to that kind of plan.

AM - Jeremy Sarmiento - As much as it would be nice to see Sontje Hansen get an opportunity from the start, it seems unlikely to happen now. Even after saying he’d seen a ‘big difference’ and giving him two extended sub appearances in which he was bright, Hellberg still overlooked him. With that in mind, and options thanks to injury, Sarmiento could get another shot after his bright cameo at Ipswich.

LW - Tommy Conway - After a goal at Ipswich, Boro’s poor display on Wednesday meant Conway didn’t see enough of the ball to impact the game. Hopefully he can get a goal or two more before the play-offs to really lift his confidence.

ST - David Strelec - And that’s a similar story for Strelec too, who also scored at Ipswich before struggling to make an impact against the Owls. Boro will want to try and get their striker into some kind of consistent form before the play-offs.

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