Middlesbrough play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon still searching for their first Championship victory of the season.
The visitors to the Riverside Stadium have not fared much better, although the Hoops sit in 19th position in the standings and above their upcoming opponents.
Match preview
© Reuters
Despite their playoff defeat at the semi-final stage last season, Middlesbrough still had momentum coming into this campaign as they bid to go one better.
Instead, Michael Carrick's side find themselves down at the bottom end of the table with just one point coming from four games, against fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town.
To their credit, Boro came from behind to defeat Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup in midweek, yet Carrick needs to see that form transferred into the second tier.
Boro are yet to keep a clean sheet in any of their opening six matches in all competitions, although four of those encounters have been away from their North East home.
In home matches with Millwall and Huddersfield, just one goal has been shipped in each fixture, and that is at least a small positive to take in what has otherwise been a discouraging few weeks on the pitch.
© Reuters
The same came be said for QPR who have not been able to kick on since recording an away victory at Cardiff City on the second weekend of the season.
That said, losing by one-goal margins to Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Southampton should not be something that Gareth Ainsworth dwells on with his side still a work in progress.
Staying competitive with each of those teams - who have just one defeat between them in the Championship this term - can be taken as a step in the right direction, yet Ainsworth knows that points need to be put on the board as soon as possible.
Just one goal has been scored in their last 295 minutes - plus added-on time - of football, while just three strikes have come in their six most recent competitive fixtures, going back to the final day of 2022-23.
- L
- L
- D
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Paddy McNair is in line to start at right-back for Boro, despite Tommy Smith having served a one-game suspension.
Matt Crooks has put himself in contention for a recall in midfield, as has Isaiah Jones who could be deployed on the flank.
New signings Lewis O'Brien and Sam Greenwood are likely to be selected among the replacements at best.
If Lyndon Dykes is able to shake off a knee injury, the Scotland international may only be selected on the substitutes' bench.
With Jimmy Dunne having been ruled out until after the international break, Ainsworth could be prepared to select the same QPR team.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; McNair, Fry, Lenihan, Engel; Howson, Hackney; Silvera, Rogers, McGree; Lath
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Smyth, Kakay, Cook, Fox, Paal; Dozzell, Colback, Field, Chair; Armstrong
We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
With the pressure ramping up on both managers, this feels like an important fixture for differing reasons. While we think that QPR will give a good account of themselves, we are backing Boro to get off the mark in their wins tally, potentially through a late goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
