Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Sheffield United - prediction, team news, lineups

After winning just two games so far in the league, Middlesbrough shall be aiming to get their season back on track this Tuesday when they play against Sheffield United.

The Blades are attempting to make a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and they are currently unbeaten in their previous five fixtures in the Championship.

Match preview

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It has not been the start to the season that Neil Warnock will have been hoping for after his team proved to be one of the strongest outfits in the league last season, having just missed out on the playoffs.

Middlesbrough currently sit 18th in the table and they trail Sheffield United by three points after winning just two games so far in the league.

Boro have lost their last two games, with Blackpool and Reading being able to earn three points at their expense, which is the type of form they will now be hoping to put an end to.

The last time Warnock's men won a game was against Nottingham Forest as Onel Hernandez and Andraz Sporar were on hand to provide the goals that day, which was only the second time this season that they have kept a clean sheet.

Throughout history, neither team has dominated when it comes to this fixture, with Boro having won 41 times and the Yorkshire outfit edging the battle with 44.

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That is something that Sheffield United will be eager to continue as they try to keep progressing up the table in order to get themselves in contention for promotion.

The Blades are currently just four points outside of the playoffs spots, which is a gap they will be hoping to cut down, while a defeat on Tuesday would see Middlesbrough draw level with them.

They are unbeaten in six games at the moment in the Championship, which is something that Slavisa Jokanovic will be very pleased with, showcasing their consistency.

Sheffield United left it late to secure three points at the weekend, though, during their match with Derby County, when they had to wait for an 89th-minute penalty to gain a 1-0 win, as Billy Sharp stepped up to take on the responsibility.

The Blades will now be attempting to follow up on that performance with another victory on Tuesday, with this fixture providing them with the chance to win a trio of games consecutively in the league for the first time this season.

Team News

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Middlesbrough will be without Matt Crooks this weekend after the midfielder was shown a red card at the weekend, meaning Warnock will have to shuffle the pack in the middle of the park.

The club was without Hernandez in the defeat against Reading, and he is expected to be unavailable once again due to a hamstring injury that he suffered.

The hosts will also be without Anfernee Dijksteel who is set to be out of action until after the upcoming international break. However, there is a positive in the fact that Paddy McNair and Marc Bola have recently returned to full training.

Ben Davies was able to start for Sheffield United on Saturday despite having been brought off with a niggle in the previous league match, which strengthened the defensive part of the team.

Sharp will also be likely to maintain his place in the starting lineup after scoring the winning goal at the weekend as he keeps Oli McBurnie out of the team.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Peltier, McNair, Fry, Bola; Howson, Siliki; Tavernier, Payero, Jones; Sporar

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Olsen; Baldock, Egan, Davies, Norrington-Davies; Norwood, Fleck; Gibbs-White, Ndiaya, Osborn; Sharp

We say: Middlesbrough 1-2 Sheffield United

Sheffield United are a more experienced and clinical team, with the likes of Billy Sharp and Oliver Norwood set to cause problems throughout the match.

The hosts are in a real need to get back to winning ways and start showing some consistency, but this game could prove to be another harsh test for Neil Warnock's squad.