Middlesbrough will strengthen their hold of third position in the Championship standings if they can defeat Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Seasiders make the trip to the Riverside Stadium sitting in the relegation zone after a prolonged winless streak in the second tier.

Match preview

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At a time when many of their rivals are still participating in the FA Cup, Middlesbrough are in a position where they can focus purely on the league, something which may satisfy Michael Carrick.

On the back of being hit for five by Brighton & Hove Albion, Boro have collected six points from three games, losing the derby with Sunderland when down to 10 men.

Responding versus Watford last weekend was imperative, and Boro delivered as Chuba Akpom and Marcus Forss each got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win.

Sitting 12 points adrift of the automatic promotion places having played a game more than Burnley and Sheffield United, the playoffs are Boro's focus going forward.

Conducting some shrewd business in the January transfer window should help Boro achieve that goal, but there can be no complacency ahead of what is one of their easier fixtures on paper.

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That said, little should be read into Blackpool being winless in 10 league encounters now that Mick McCarthy has been appointed as the club's new manager.

The veteran boss started his reign with a 2-1 reverse at Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round, but there were enough positives to suggest that he could instigate a change in fortunes.

Blackpool remain within three points of safety, and their away return of 14 points from as many matches is respectable when you consider their current predicament.

Although McCarthy and his squad will naturally be eager to collect something from the visit to the North East, one eye may already be on the upcoming home fixtures with Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United, games which could prove pivotal in the context of their season.

Team News

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Dael Fry is available for Middlesbrough after serving a one-match ban, but he may have to settle for a spot on the substitutes' bench.

Cameron Archer impressed in attack last time out and the Aston Villa loanee may get the nod ahead of Matt Crooks.

Despite also arriving from Villa, midfielder Aaron Ramsey will remain absent through injury until the middle of the month.

McCarthy may be prepared to stick with the majority of the Blackpool XI which started at St Mary's last weekend.

James Husband will be assessed after sustaining a hamstring issue in that fixture, and Curtis Nelson may come into contention for an immediate debut.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Forss, Akpom, McGree; Archer

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Lyons, Connolly, Goode, Husband, Hamilton; Bowler, Trybull, Patino; Poveda-Ocampo, Yates

We say: Middlesbrough 2-0 Blackpool

With McCarthy at the helm, Blackpool could improve defensively over the coming weeks and months. Nevertheless, Middlesbrough have generally been excellent under Carrick, and we expect a relatively comfortable afternoon for the home side.

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