It has been an inconsistent start to the season for Middlesbrough, who will look to return to winning ways in the league when they host Reading at the Riverside on Saturday.

Aitor Karanka's side found themselves three goals behind against Sheffield Wednesday in their last Championship outing before two penalties in the final 20 minutes saw them almost pull off an unlikely comeback.

However, the Owls held out to leave Boro with two wins and two defeats from their first four games, and with such a record it is unsurprising to see them sitting in mid-table once again.

In truth, it has been a kind start to the campaign for Middlesbrough, with none of their opponents thus far expected to finish in the top half of the Championship table.

This weekend provides their biggest test yet, on paper at least, and their performance will give Karanka some idea as to how realistic a playoff push is this season.

The hosts do go into the weekend on the back of a victory, with their 3-1 League Cup win over Preston North End setting up a third-round meeting with Liverpool.

Lee Tomlin scored twice in that victory and is once again expected to start behind summer signing Kike, who should be restored to the side.

Reading are another side who entered the season with playoff ambitions having narrowly missed out last time, but they have not got off to the most convincing of starts so far.

Four points from their opening two games was certainly respectable, but they have lost their last two, including a thumping 4-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Nigel Adkins will need to pick his side up after that defeat, and Tuesday's late League Cup victory over Scunthorpe United will have helped him to do that.

Academy product Jake Taylor netted his second of the season in that match, and he is once again expected to start on the left this weekend.

Oliver Norwood and Jamie Mackie are also pushing for starts for the Royals, but Jem Karacan, Garath McCleary and Hal Robson-Kanu are all sidelined.

Recent form

Middlesbrough: WWLWLW

Reading: DWWLLW

Possible starting lineups

Middlesbrough: Tomas; Damia, Ayala, Omeruo, Friend; Adomah, Leadbitter, Clayton, Reach; Tomlin, Kike

Reading: Federici; Gunter, Hector, Pearce, Cummings; Blackman, Akpan, Obita, Taylor; Norwood, Cox

Sports Mole says: 2-2

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