Middlesbrough predicted team vs Sunderland with Luke Thomas call an interesting one

Middlesbrough host Sunderland at the Riverside on Sunday, hoping to complete their first league double over the Wearsiders in seven years.

Boro's side won 4-0 at the Stadium of Light back in October and they haven't been beaten by Sunderland on Teesside since 2005. They'll be hoping to maintain that record this weekend, with their play-off rivals currently three points better off in the Championship, albeit with the benefit of having played an extra game.

Following the conclusion of the January transfer window, Michael Carrick won't have Morgan Rogers to call upon after he was sold to Aston Villa. There will be no new players back from injury this weekend, though Luke Ayling, Sam Greenwood and Finn Azaz can return after being cup-tied against Chelsea. Luke Thomas could also make his debut after joining on loan from Leicester City. Here's our predicted team.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough injury latest for Sunderland with updates on Bangura, Latte Lath, Dieng and Jones

GK - Tom Glover - Seny Dieng is back in training and that should keep Glover focused ahead of a huge game. The Australian has joined a prolonged period in the Boro team thanks to Dieng's injury and has done really well. That gives Carrick the luxury of not needing to rush back Dieng.

RB - Luke Ayling - His experience will be a welcome addition to the back line after the disappointment at Chelsea last week. Ayling has proven a solid signing so far but this will be his biggest test yet. Jack Clarke is Sunderland's talisman and Ayling will be tasked with keeping him quiet.

CB - Dael Fry - A proud Teessider, he'll know how much this fixture means to every supporter inside the Riverside, but he also has the experience now to block that out enough to ensure it doesn't impact his performance.

CB - Matt Clarke - With players starting to return to fitness, Carrick has increasing dilemmas in areas throughout his squad - something he's not been blessed with for much of the season. One is at centre-back with Paddy McNair now back and Clarke and Rav van den Berg playing well too. We're going with Clarke because McNair is only just returning and he has just a little extra experience to handle the occasion over Van den Berg.

LB - Lukas Engel - Another interesting call on Sunday will be who starts at left-back, with Luke Thomas in contention for his debut. Brought in to compete with Engel due to Alex Bangura's injury, we're going with Engel for this one, with the Dane deserving to keep his place, allowing Thomas to gradually bed in.

CM - Jonny Howson - Similar to defence, Carrick has some tough decisions ahead in midfield now that Hayden Hackney and Lewis O'Brien are fit again. We predict he'll go with Howson in this one with his experience proving invaluable, while he might possibly be tasked with supporting Ayling against Clarke too.

CM - Hayden Hackney - We're then going with Hackney as Howson's partner, with the young midfielder absolutely bossing the battle on Wearside in the reverse fixture. O'Brien is unlikely to be ready to start games yet and while it's harsh on Dan Barlaser, it's hard to see past Hackney starting such an important game.

RW - Marcus Forss - Looking really sharp since his return, Boro could really do with the Finn continuing that kind of form in the second half of the season after they failed to sign a new striker. With Isaiah Jones still out injured, Forss is almost certain to start this one. Could need to do some defending too, to help Ayling.

AM - Finn Azaz - Yet to show his best in two appearances for Boro while he gels with his new team-mates, Azaz has suddenly taken on new significance following the sale of Rogers. With seven goals and five assists at Plymouth Argyle in the first half of the season, he showed he is a man who can come up with a big moment and Carrick will be desperate to unlock that.

LW - Sam Greenwood - His form has been patchy of late but the effort he's shown leaves little question about his desire to be successful at Boro. It's no secret how much extra emphasis will be on this one for the boyhood Sunderland fan and, after netting in the reverse fixture, he'll be hoping to upset Sunderland fans again.

ST - Josh Coburn - Coburn's only league start since the November international break came on New Year's Day against Coventry, with the young striker struggling with niggling injuries. But an 11-day break should hopefully leave him well refreshed and ready for this one, with Boro needing him especially so while Emmanuel Latte Lath remains out.