Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough; can Boro cause a League Cup upset?

Crystal Palace will host Middlesbrough in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, with both sides looking to progress.

Palace will be looking to build on a 3-2 win away at Fulham in the Premier League last Saturday, the Eagles' first of the season.

Middlesbrough meanwhile have had a strong start to the season, and won 1-0 away at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

After the game, Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg said:"It was almost everything, it shows what this team is about."

"We showed there's a lot of character in this team."

Form Guide

Crystal Palace's win on Saturday was their first under new manager Pierre Sage, in the French boss' third game in charge.

Sage said: "I'm happy to win for the guys because they work a lot."

"I think we could have more points, that's why we need to win the next one."

Middlesbrough's impressive start to the season has left them second in the Championship.

The Teessiders have five wins and only one loss from seven matches in all competitions this season.

This includes a 1-0 win at home to Wrexham, and 3-1 win away at Doncaster in the first two rounds of the League Cup.

Boro are unbeaten in their last four games, since a 2-1 loss away at Blackburn on Saturday August 22nd.

Head-to-Head Record:

These two sides haven't faced each other since October 2018, when a goal from midfielder Lewis Wing helped Middlesbrough knock the Eagles out of the League Cup.

Palace have won their previous five home games against Middlesbrough however, a run which dates back to April 2005, when a strike from left-back Franck Quedrue gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 win.

The home side have also won their own two previous home League Cup ties against Middlesbrough.

Crystal Palace beat Tuesday's visitors 2-1 at Selhurst Park in September 2011, and 3-2 in October 1995.

Team News:

Palace will be without centre-back Chadi Riad, striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, and winger Ismaila Sarr due to long-term injuries.

Forward Eddie Nketiah is also a doubt due to a knock he sustained during Palace's victory over Fulham, which saw Nketiah replaced at half-time.

Middlesbrough winger Jeremy Sarmiento will reportedly also be unavailable due to a leg injury, while midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is also a doubt due to a muscle injury.

Both sides are also likely to rest players as they prepare for league fixtures next weekend.

Predicted Starting 11s:

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Walter Benitez, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Honest Ahanor, Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell, Will Hughes, Quinten Timber, Oscar Mingueza, Yeremy Pino, Dario Osorio, Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Middlesbrough (3-4-2-1): Sol Brynn, Neto Borges, Adilson Malanda, Luke Ayling, Max Arfsten, Leo Castledine, Aidan Morris, Callum Brittain, Myles Peart-Harris, Morgan Whittaker, Will Lankshear.

Match Prediction:

Middlesbrough have made an impressive start to the season, but Palace appeared to find some form in the second-half against Fulham.

The Eagles have had recent cup success, and their Premier League quality should make the difference.