Two sides boasting lengthy unbeaten records lock horns this coming Saturday as a stubborn Middlesbrough side welcome Norwich City to the Riverside Stadium.

The Canaries extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a win at home to Swansea City just before the international break, while Boro still hold the longest unbeaten run in the country having nullified a free-scoring Brentford team to go 10 games unbeaten.

Match preview

Middlesbrough did show signs of becoming a more potent attacking threat in the latter stages of their matchup against Brentford, but - as Neil Warnock has witnessed many times already this season - were unable to make their chances count.

More predictably, Boro were impenetrable at the other end of the pitch and have only conceded five goals in 11 games, and have now gone 380 minutes without being breached.

The last time Boro showed such defensive solidity, they were to be promoted under Aitor Karanka, with Ben Gibson at the heart of their backline. This time around, Ben Gibson will be defending against Boro as he looks likely to line up for opponents Norwich, having left the North-East in 2018.

The Smoggies will have their work cut out, as they face a Norwich side who have had almost twice the amount of shots on goal as Boro so far this season (60 to 33), despite only scoring four more goals.

Boro will look to silence their critics as Warnock was forced to laugh off claims that Middlesbrough are playing boring football.

Boring or not, Warnock will not be opposed to when he says that teams do not want to play Boro, given their tenacity and stifling style - the same style of play that saw Warnock pick up manager-of-the-month earlier this week.

Since the introduction of the award in 2004, no manager has been awarded the accolade more times than Middlesbrough's boss.

Norwich will be hoping that the manager of the month curse is alive and well as they look to continue their strong run that sees them sit third in the table.

Despite their slow start, Norwich are well and truly finding their feet and have climbed into the playoff places, now only one point from the summit of the table.

They also have fond memories of travelling to the Riverside, having only lost once in their last five trips. The Canaries' fans will also remember that it was they who defeated Middlesbrough in the 2015 playoff final to gain promotion.

Boro are the first of two away games in four days for Norwich City as they look to maintain their good form and build towards a promotion challenge, that could see them bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Middlesbrough Championship form: WDWWDD

Norwich City Championship form: WWDWDW

Team News

Ben Gibson was left out of the win against Swansea City as a precaution after suffering some tightness in his back, but could be recalled to face his former team.

Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann combined to keep Swansea at bay during City's 1-0 win last time out, though the Hanley/Gibson partnership has become the foundation of Norwich's recent form, suggesting Gibson could return.

In midweek, Warnock implied that Chuba Akpom and Britt Assombalonga may get equal playing time this season, but having missed out against Brentford, it is likely to be club captain Assombalonga that leads the line.

Pending any injuries from the international break, Boro should keep the same lineup with the return of George Saville being the only other change. Lewis Wing could make way after failing to stamp his authority last time out.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Bola, Howson, Saville, Tavernier, Spence; Coulson, Assombalonga

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Sorensen; Skipp, Rupp; Buendia, Cantwell, Placheta; Pukki

We say: Middlesbrough 0-0 Norwich City

Of the last seven league games Boro have won at home, they have scored first six times. Place that statistic alongside Boro's defensive record, and we would say that if Boro can get on top, it will be hard for Norwich to turn this one around. Given the recent form of both sides, though, we see this one finishing honours even, and condemning Boro to a third straight draw.

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