Aug 12, 2017 at 5.30pm UK at ​Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 26,876
Middlesbrough
1-0
Sheff UtdSheffield United
Gestede (21')
Friend (72')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Stevens (63')

Team News: Patrick Bamford starts for Middlesbrough

Patrick Bamford in action for Middlesbrough on April 25, 2015
© Getty Images
Patrick Bamford starts for Middlesbrough as they welcome Sheffield United.

Patrick Bamford starts for Middlesbrough as they welcome Sheffield United in the Championship this evening.

In all, Boro boss Garry Monk makes four changes from the side that lost 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, with Bamford's impressive display after coming on from the bench earning him a starting spot tonight.

Rudy Gestede also earns a recall and joins Britt Assombalonga and Bamford at the head of a three-man attack, while Ashley Fletcher drops to the bench and Martin Braithwaite misses out.

Marten de Roon's exit for Atalanta allows Adam Forshaw back into the midfield alongside Adam Clayton and Jonny Howson, while Dael Fry replaces Daniel Ayala as partner for Ben Gibson in the heart of defence.

Cyrus Christie keeps his place at right-back, with George Friend on the left and Darren Randolph in goal.

For Sheffield, Chris Wilder names an unchanged XI from the side that defeated Brentford 1-0 last weekend as he looks to extend the club's record run of eight straight league wins.

The 5-3-2 setup sees Enda Stephens, Jack O'Connell, Chris Basham, Richard Stearman and Kieron Freeman ahead of Jamal Blackman between the sticks.

Billy Sharp, who grabbed the winner against the Bees, continues up front with Leon Clarke, while Samir Carruthers, Paul Coutts and John Fleck are in midfield.

James Hanson misses the game after picking up a hamstring injury in midweek and Ched Evans is again made to wait for his first start since rejoining the club over the summer.

Middlesbrough: Randolph; Christie, Fry, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Howson, Forshaw; Bamford, Assombalonga, Gestede
Subs: Dimi, Fabio, Roberts, Leadbitter, Baker, Traore, Fletcher

Sheffield United: Blackmanl Stevens, O'Connell, Basham, Stearman, Freeman; Carruthers, Coutts, Fleck; Sharp, Clarke
Subs: Eastwood, Lundstram, Wright, Duffy, Lafferty, Evans, Brooks

Keep up with all of the action from the Riverside this evening with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

Darren Randolph of West Ham United during the pre season friendly match between Charlton Athletic and West Ham United at the Valley on July 25, 2015 in London, England.
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