Two playoff hopefuls will face off in the Championship this Saturday as Middlesbrough welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Riverside Stadium.
The hosts currently occupy third place in the table, although back-to-back draws have seen them slip three points behind league leaders Derby County.
The most recent of those saw them take on Wigan Athletic in Malky Mackay's first match as manager of the Latics and, despite their opponents' poor league position, Aitor Karanka will know that a share of the spoils was not too bad a result for his side.
Boro are now unbeaten in their last five matches and have lost just one of their last 13 in the league, with their success based on a solid defensive record.
No side has conceded fewer than Middlesbrough's 13 goals in 18 games this season, while Shaun Maloney's sumptuous strike last weekend was the first time they had conceded since October.
Despite their lofty league position, Boro have been fairly disappointing at the Riverside this season, with the majority of their 32 points coming on the road.
Patrick Bamford came off the bench to equalise against Wigan last time out, and that could be enough for the loanee to start this weekend in place of the suspended Adam Clayton.
Long-term absentees Rhys Williams, Mustapha Carayol and Jonathan Woodgate are all making progress in their recoveries, but won't be fit before the end of the year.
Blackburn, meanwhile, come into this one as the form team in the league right now. No side has amassed more points over the last six games than Rovers, who have moved into the final playoff place as a result.
Gary Bowyer's side capitalised on some defensive errors to come from behind and earn a late victory over Leeds United last time out, a result that stretched their unbeaten streak to eight matches.
Jordan Rhodes also got himself back on the scoresheet in that game with a brace, and he will be looking to find the net with more regularity having played second fiddle to Rudy Gestede for much of the current campaign.
It wasn't all good news for Blackburn at Ewood Park, however, as Tom Cairney was shown a late red card and will subsequently miss this weekend's match through suspension.
Jason Steele is also ineligible against his parent club, while the match comes too soon for the injured trio of Jason Lowe, Josh King and Tommy Spurr.
Chris Brown has been named in the squad following a troublesome knee injury, however, and could be among the substitutes for just the second time this season.
Middlesbrough:
Recent form: LDWWDD
Possible starting lineup: Konstantopoulos; Nsue, Gibson, Ayala, Friend; Adomah, Leadbitter, Bamford, Reach; Tomlin, Kike
Blackburn:
Recent form: WWWDDW
Possible starting lineup: Eastwood; Baptiste, Hanley, Duffy, Olsson; Tunnicliffe, Evans, Williamson, Marshall; Rhodesm Gestede
Sports Mole says: 1-1
No Data Analysis info
