Middlesbrough play host to Southampton on Saturday afternoon looking to end their wait for a Championship victory in 2023-24.
At a time when Boro sit bottom of the standings, the visitors have recently dropped to 13th position courtesy of three successive defeats.
Match preview
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Throughout the early months of 2023, Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough side were regarded as one of the best in the Championship, and the manager himself was being linked with jobs in the Premier League.
However, there is now an entirely different dynamic associated with the North East outfit, who have failed to win any of their last 12 Championship matches dating back to April 24.
The feeling is that Carrick will be provided with time given the amount of players that were brought to the club in the summer, yet Middlesbrough are already five points adrift of 20th position in the table.
A 1-1 draw away at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek can be perceived to be a step in the direction, even if it came against another second-tier club that are still awaiting their first league success of 2023-24.
Nevertheless, there can be no doubting that Carrick and the fanbase are desperately in need of maximum points to end the belief that a promotion bid may already be out of the question.
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Despite 11 places separating the two teams in the table, it is Southampton who are lacking confidence heading into this contest after an alarming drop off in form.
After initially collecting 10 points from a possible 12 on the back of relegation from the Premier League, the Saints have now suffered three successive defeats.
Those setbacks came against Sunderland, Leicester City and Ipswich Town - three clubs with promotion ambitions - yet the manner of the first two of those losses will concern head coach Russell Martin.
Southampton are proving too easy to play against without the ball - their vast amounts of possession proving irrelevant - and it is be intriguing to see whether Martin is prepared to sacrifice some of his trademark style of play to instigate a change in fortunes.
The South Coast club are making the long trip to the North East for the second time in three weeks, their visit to Sunderland ending in a 5-0 reverse.
Team News
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With Lukas Engel failing to impress at left-back against Sheffield Wednesday, Rav van den Berg is in line to be switched from the right flank.
Either Paddy McNair, Tommy Smith or Isaiah Jones will feature at right-back, while Emmanuel Latte Lath may replace Josh Coburn in attack.
However, Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood could have to wait for his first start in central midfield.
Martin is expected to ring the changes to his Southampton XI, including restoring Jan Bednarek to the centre of defence ahead of Shea Charles.
Stuart Armstrong and Carlos Alcaraz could also feature in central midfield, with Adam Armstrong reverting back to the final third in place of Ryan Fraser.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; McNair, Fry, Lenihan, Van den Berg; Hackney, O'Brien; Silvera, Crooks, McGree; Lath
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Alcaraz, Charles, S. Armstrong; Edozie, Adams, A. Armstrong
We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Southampton
Who prevails from this fixture is anyone's guess given the poor form of both teams. For us, though, Southampton's increasing vulnerability opens the door for Boro to finally get a win on the board when they will feel as though they are underdogs heading into this encounter.
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