Seventh-placed Middlesbrough play host to Huddersfield Town in the Championship on Easter Monday trailing their opponents, who occupy third spot, by seven points in the standings.
However, with Boro possessing a game in hand, they can potentially put the Terriers under pressure with regards to the playoffs with victory at the Riverside Stadium.
Match preview
© Reuters
On the back of thrashing Peterborough United by a 4-0 scoreline upon their return from the international break, Middlesbrough looked well set to make a sustained bid for the playoff positions.
However, Chris Wilder has witnessed his side fail to score in three successive matches, leading to just one point being recorded from games against Fulham, Hull City and Bournemouth.
Although the positives will be taken from holding the latter of those sides to a goalless draw on away territory, Boro now sit outside of the top six by two points.
Despite possessing a game in hand, Wilder will recognise that points on the board are more important at this stage of the season, while they only sit three points clear of 12th position.
After this fixture, Boro's run-in is more favourable than many of their rivals, but a fourth game without success at this stage of the campaign could prove pivotal in the race for promotion.
© Reuters
Ahead of Friday's home fixture with Queens Park Rangers, everyone associated with Huddersfield would have felt that it was the ideal contest to collect another three points in a bid to stay relevant in the automatic promotion picture.
However, Carlos Corberan watched on helplessly as his side twice gave up an advantage against the out-of-form Hoops, eventually having to settle for a 2-2 draw.
In the grand scheme of things, Huddersfield are still seven points clear of seventh spot with four matches remaining, a scenario which they would have accepted without argument at the start of the season.
That said, should they qualify for the playoffs, the Terriers need to show more of a ruthless streak at both ends of the pitch if they want to earn another year in the Premier League.
At a time when Boro have lost their last two home fixtures by a 1-0 scoreline, Huddersfield have prevailed in three of their last five away encounters.
- D
- W
- W
- L
- L
- D
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- D
- D
- L
- L
- W
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Dael Fry remains a doubt for Middlesbrough with a calf injury, but his replacement Sol Bamba starred in helping his team keep a clean sheet at Bournemouth.
Second-choice goalkeeper Luke Daniels also justified his rare outing, but changes are expected further forward with Andraz Sporar and Folarin Balogun both in line to come into the attack.
Riley McGree is also an option if Wilder chooses to add some fresh legs to his midfield.
Having requested to be substituted at half time against QPR, Huddersfield forward Danny Ward will almost certainly miss this fixture.
Josh Koroma could get the nod ahead of Jordan Rhodes as his replacement, while Duane Holmes may be handed a start if Corberan looks to freshen up his team.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Daniels; Dijksteel, Bamba, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, McGree, Bola; Sporar, Balogun
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Turton, Lees, Colwill, Toffolo; Hogg, Russell; Holmes, O'Brien, Thomas; Koroma
We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Having only posted a draw against QPR, Huddersfield will feel under pressure to collect all three points. However, we feel that Boro are the marginal favourites for this contest, even if that may only lead to earning a share of the spoils in a competitive encounter.
