Middlesbrough play host to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon looking to build on sitting in ninth position in the Championship standings.
Meanwhile, the visitors to the Riverside Stadium are down in 16th place, despite putting together a run of games without defeat before the October international break.
Match preview
© Imago
In comparison to where they were this time last season, Middlesbrough fans will be relatively content with sitting just two points adrift of the top six.
However, it feels two steps forward, one step back for Michael Carrick's side who went into the two-week break having succumbed 2-1 at Watford.
The North East outfit had been leading heading into the final quarter, making the defeat all the more frustrating after previous wins and clean sheets against Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.
On the whole, Carrick will be delighted with his team's efforts in defence, who have conceded just seven times in their nine outings.
In attack, though, this group of players are yet to score more than twice in a single league match all season, leaving Carrick to ponder how to strike a better balance going forward.
Bristol City head coach Liam Manning will not be featuring in the dugout for the foreseeable future after the tragic passing of his young son Theo.
Chris Hogg will take charge of the Robins until Manning makes the decision to return, and there will be added motivation to keep things on track for Manning after the improvements across the last four games.
A total of six points were accumulated, a 2-1 victory over Oxford United being followed by draws with Swansea City, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City.
Just three goals were conceded during that run, a notable improvement with Bristol City having shipped 10 strikes in their previous four outings.
Team News
While Carrick may be able to welcome back some of Middlesbrough's injured contingent, they will not come into consideration for a start.
Isaiah Jones could be recalled on the right flank with youngster Ben Doak having played an active part for Scotland in their UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Riley McGree is also in contention for an opportunity in the final third, but Carrick will not overly tinker with his first XI.
With Cameron Pring out injured in the long term, Ross McCrorie is in line to start at full-back for Bristol City.
Max Bird and Mark Sykes are options in midfield and attack respectively, but the likes of Rob Dickie and Rob Atkinson remain on the sidelines.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Ayling, Van den Berg, Edmundson, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Jones, Azaz, Hamilton; Lath
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, McNally, McCrorie; Williams, Knight; Hirakawa, Twine, Mehmeti; Armstrong
We say: Middlesbrough 1-0 Bristol City
This game may not prove to be a classic given the improvements that Bristol City have recently made in defence. However, we are still backing Boro to get over the line in a tight contest, potentially with a clean sheet in the process.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
