Middlesbrough are aiming to win their second game of the season and re-spark their campaign when they travel to face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

The North-East side are many pundits' tip for promotion, but they have not hit the ground running this season, and will hope to move up the table before the international break.

Sheffield Wednesday

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New Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has made a steady start as manager, but he hasn't won in the league since the opening day of the season.

Since that 2-0 win over Bristol City, their form has tailed off as they lost to Ipswich Town before back-to-back draws with Reading and Leeds United.

In the League Cup, their form has been better as they thumped Mansfield Town before edging past Oxford United to make round three, where they will meet Newcastle United.

The Yorkshire side have boosted their defensive options this week, with the signing of centre-back Michael Turner on a season-long loan from Norwich City, and reports suggest that they could be in for a striker.

Carvalhal has allegedly made attempts to sign Watford's Fernando Forestieri, but it is increasingly unlikely that a deal will be done before Saturday's match.

After the international break, the games come thick and fast for Wednesday as they make two trips to Lancashire to face Burnley and Bolton Wanderers, before hosting Fulham.

Recent form: WLDD
Recent form (all competitions): WWLDDW

Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough's start to the campaign was viewed as being solid after the first three games, in which they dispatched Bolton 3-0 and earned a creditable draw at Derby County.

However, they suffered a shock 1-0 lost to newly-promoted Bristol City last weekend and could fall out of the top half of the table if things go against them on Saturday.

Aitor Karanka's men are the overwhelming favourites to go up this season, but are already five points behind pace-setting duo Ipswich and Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Teeside club could lose winger Alberto Adomah before the window shuts as he has reportedly handed in a transfer request after falling out with Karanka. Mustapha Carayol is another who could leave, as Karanka finalises his squad this season.

There is a feeling around Teeside that their season hasn't got going yet, and defender Jonathan Woodgate has urged them to sort out their "bang average" start to the season this weekend.

After the international break they host MK Dons and Brentford, before making a trip to play Nottingham Forest.

Recent form: DWDL
Recent form (all competitions): DWWDLW

Team News

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Spanish striker Kike will hope to return to Middlesbrough's starting XI after being dropped for their defeat to Bristol last week.

New signing David Nugent made his debut, and should keep his place, which could put pressure on Uruguay's Cristian Stuani.

Ben Gibson could also play after regaining fitness, while Jonathan Woodgate is hoping for a recall.

Wednesday will hope that captain Glenn Loovens is fit enough to return, while Ross Wallace is also pushing for a recall.

Carvalhal is yet to keep the same XI for two games in a row, which could give hope to the likes of Noel Hunt and Jose Semedo.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Price; Palmer, Lees, Loovens, Wiggins; Semedo, Hutchinson, Lee, Matias; Nuhiu, Sougou.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dimi; Nsue, Kalas, Ayala, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton, Wildschut, Downing; Kike, Nugent.

Head To Head

Wednesday have a clear edge in their recent head-to-head meetings, winning four of their last five encounters.

Last season, they did the double over Middlesbrough, with a 2-0 home win backing up their 3-2 success from August 2014, while they have not conceded a home goal against them since 2010.

Overall, they have met on 98 occasions, with Wednesday winning 43 times and Middlesbrough 39.

Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Middlesbrough

When two teams who have had average starts to the season meet early on, then it has a draw written all over it.

Middlesbrough have a lot of attacking talent, but are yet to consistently put it together, while Wednesday remain firm at the back. 1-1 sounds likely.

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