The Teessiders will be looking to bounce back following Friday’s 1-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Our Boro writer Joe Nicholson has picked the starting XI he would choose to face the Blues – scroll down and flick through our picture gallery to see if you agree with his decisions:
![Made some decent saves at Fulham despite the result. Faces more competition following the arrival of Dejan Stojanovic.](https://jp-ct.co.uk/image/onecms:4eeed05f-fb35-48a6-9ec2-0e27aadd7956:93d94422-a0cf-4856-ae27-d05be5b96301/GettyImages-1195114553%20(3).jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. GK: Aynsley Pears
Made some decent saves at Fulham despite the result. Faces more competition following the arrival of Dejan Stojanovic. Photo: George Wood
![His role requires a lot of running. Possibly needs a rest after starting the last eight games, yet Boro's lack of options at right wing-back may mean another start for the teenager.](https://jp-ct.co.uk/image/onecms:068efafc-798a-4e93-b00f-10e027b4bf83:6871d6d6-28fe-455d-91e7-d38a4d5de494/GettyImages-1199526888%20(1).jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. RWB: Djed Spence
His role requires a lot of running. Possibly needs a rest after starting the last eight games, yet Boro's lack of options at right wing-back may mean another start for the teenager. Photo: Justin Setterfield
![Continues to perform well on the right of a back three.](https://jp-ct.co.uk/image/onecms:e41acc30-2f3a-47f1-b887-f9b1c6622aa0:e7fb0be4-ed39-42f1-8248-f912557c177f/GettyImages-1198086567%20(1).jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. CB: Jonny Howson
Continues to perform well on the right of a back three. Photo: Alex Livesey
![Not his natural position but offers more quality on the ball when Boro are trying to play out from the back.](https://jp-ct.co.uk/image/onecms:c7974aac-dd0d-469a-b02b-dba576d8972f:b28cea73-2b56-47dd-b078-244ba1a2b3b6/GettyImages-1199525163.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. CB: Paddy McNair
Not his natural position but offers more quality on the ball when Boro are trying to play out from the back. Photo: Getty Images