Middlesbrough play host to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon knowing that they realistically require maximum points to remain in the hunt for a Championship playoff spot.
At a time when the home side sit in 13th position in the standings, Plymouth have recently dropped back down to 17th after a poor run of form.
Match preview
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On the back of five matches without success in all competitions, a trip to leaders Leicester City had the potential to be the worst possible fixture for Middlesbrough last weekend.
Instead, Michael Carrick's side produced one of their best league performances of the season to run out 2-1 victors at the King Power Stadium.
The success represented a first triumph in five weeks, and has proven enough to keep Boro interested in the playoff picture given that they possess a game in hand.
However, the deficit to sixth place remains at 10 points, highlighting that the North East outfit must find some consistency to become a factor at the business end of the season.
Boro's home form has generally been poor as they have won just six of their 16 second-tier matches at the Riverside Stadium in 2023-24, scoring just 17 goals.
Plymouth, meanwhile, started February by recording a second successive victory in the Championship, seemingly ensuring that a relegation battle was beyond them.
Ian Foster's side have since gone four matches without a win, collecting just one point, to now only sit five points above 22nd-placed Queens Park Rangers.
In their defence, Plymouth have faced a run of Sunderland, Coventry City, Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, yet Foster would not have expected to lose 3-0 at home to the latter in midweek.
Despite beating Swansea City on their travels on February 3, the Pilgrims remain with the second-worst away record in the division, accumulating just nine points from 16 games.
Team News
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Despite the success of last week's 4-5-1 formation at Leicester, Boro boss Carrick will almost certainly switch back to a defensive four for this contest.
Paddy McNair could drop out of the side to allow either Sam Greenwood or Marcus Forss to take their spot down the centre of the attack in what may prove to be the only change.
Boro currently have eight players who are on the sidelines, including midfield duo Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney.
Meanwhile, Foster will tinker with his Plymouth XI, with Jordan Houghton potentially being brought back into the centre of the pitch.
One of Bali Mumba or Lino Sousa may lose their place at wing-back with Matthew Sorinola possibly being included as an alternative.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Glover; Ayling, Van den Berg, Clarke, Engel; Barlaser, O'Brien; McGree, Azaz, Silvera; Forss
Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Phillips, Gibson, Galloway; Sorinola, Houghton, Gyabi, Mumba; Whittaker, Devine, Hardie
We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Plymouth Argyle
Given Boro's inconsistency this season, we cannot rule out a surprise victory for Plymouth on their long trip to the North East. Nevertheless, we are backing Boro to just about edge this contest, potentially through a late goal as they throw caution to the wind.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
