Middlesbrough make the trip to Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon sitting just two points adrift of the Championship playoffs.

Meanwhile, the home side have failed to win any of their last four matches, a run which has resulted in the Terriers dropping down to 16th position.

Match preview

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Neil Warnock has focused on discipline over goals this season, keeping Boro in the top half of the table by conceding just six times from 13 matches.

However, for the first time this season, his players turned it on at the other end of the pitch on Wednesday evening as they registered a 3-0 victory over Derby County.

While overcoming the bottom club in the division will be put into context, it was an indication that Warnock has acknowledged that more needs to be done in the final third.

Despite suffering just one defeat in a dozen outings, Boro only sit in seventh position, and Warnock will want to take advantage of facing an out-of-form Huddersfield side.

To do that, he may require more goals from his frontmen, with four players currently topping the scoring charts with two strikes apiece.

From Huddersfield's perspective, Carlos Corberan may prioritise avoiding defeat at the weekend, rather than going all out for three points at the John Smith's Stadium.

Six of their 15 goals this season have come in two games, away at Millwall and Stoke City, so regularly troubling a resolute Boro backline could prove to be difficult.

Nevertheless, Corberan will recognise that the club's winless streak cannot be prolonged too much longer if they wish to have any realistic chance of entering the playoff picture.

At a time when they are already eight points adrift of that target, they only sit six points above the relegation zone, and another setback here could lead to Corberan's men being brought back into the pack above the bottom three.

Huddersfield Town Championship form: LWLDLD

Middlesbrough Championship form: WWDDLW

Team News

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Having picked up a knock against Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday evening, Christopher Schindler is expected to be replaced by Richard Stearman.

Although first-choice goalkeeper Ben Hamer is pushing for a return after a period of self-isolation, Ryan Schofield could retain his place between the sticks.

Warnock must decide whether to hand a second successive Middlesbrough start to Duncan Watmore, who came through 63 minutes unscathed on Wednesday night.

With Patrick Roberts also playing for the first time in a number of weeks, Warnock may take the opportunity to recall either Lewis Wing or Marvin Johnson.

Barring any late fitness issues, the rest of the side could remain the same.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Schofield; Bacuna, Schindler, Sarr, Toffolo; Eiting, Hogg, O'Brien; Mbenza, Campbell, Diakhaby

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Djiksteel, Fry, McNair, Bola; Howson, Saville; Tavernier, Roberts, Johnson; Assombalonga

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Middlesbrough

Regardless of whether teams are sitting at the top or lower end of the table, Middlesbrough have not made a habit of scoring goals. Nevertheless, Boro's ruthless showing against Derby will only lift their confidence in the final third, and we are backing the visitors to edge out their Yorkshire hosts.

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