Middlesbrough head into their Championship fixture with Peterborough United having lost four of their last six matches.
Neil Warnock's side now sit just four points above 23rd-placed Peterborough, who continue to possess the worst defensive record in the division.
Match preview
Middlesbrough have been running the fine line between possible playoff bid and relegation battle for some time, the North-East outfit still not recording back-to-back wins all season.
However, Neil Warnock will be thinking about the latter ahead of their meeting with Peterborough after witnessing Boro go down 2-0 at struggling Hull City.
Consistency and a lack of goals are the biggest issues with this Middlesbrough side, and they will find themselves pulled ever closer to the bottom three if they lose a third home fixture at the weekend.
In four of their last five setbacks, Warnock's side have conceded decisive goals in the final 15 minutes, a trend which cannot continue if they want to move away from safety.
Warnock is also still waiting for one of his players to hit the back of the net on a regular basis, their 11 goals being shared between nine members of the squad.
On a positive note, Warnock will be encouraged that Boro are facing opponents in Peterborough who have lost each of their five away matches for the loss of 16 goals.
Nevertheless, opposite number Darren Ferguson will feel equally optimistic that a game at the Riverside Stadium is the ideal setting to end that streak.
Ferguson was left bitterly disappointed with his side conceding an 84th-minute winner to Bristol City last time out, but there were enough positives in that game to take into this contest.
Sammie Szmodics netted his first two goals of the season during that encounter, surely doing enough for a permanent place in the team in the absence of Jonson Clarke-Harris.
- L
- W
- L
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
Team News
With Dael Fry out injured and Lee Peltier suspended for this game, Middlesbrough boss Warnock may use Paddy McNair and Marc Bola in a back three.
James Lea Siliki and Isaiah Jones could be introduced in midfield and at wing-back respectively, with the rest of the team staying the same to avoid further disruption.
Ferguson is unlikely to make too many alterations to his Peterborough side given the level of their performance against Bristol City.
Jack Taylor could replace Conor Coventry in midfield, but Ferguson may persist with a 4-4-2 formation which would see Siriki Dembele partner Szmodics in attack.
Clarke-Harris remains on the sidelines as he continues his ban for historic social media posts.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; McNair, Bamba, Bola; Tavernier, Howson, Lea Siliki, Jones; Crooks; Watmore, Sporar
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Cornell; Thompson, Edwards, Kent, Butler; Ward, Norburn, Taylor, Burrows; Szmodics, Dembele
We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Peterborough United
With these two teams having moved closer together in the league standings, this feels like a game that neither team will want to risk losing. With that in mind, we are expecting a low-scoring draw at the Riverside Stadium.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
