Preview: Blackpool vs. Middlesbrough

Third-placed Middlesbrough go into Tuesday night's game at rockbottom Blackpool knowing that they will finish the night in the automatic promotion places if they record victory.

With the top two of Bournemouth and Derby County just a point clear of Boro and facing off at the Goldsands Stadium, Boro could also go top if the Cherries and Rams share a draw on the South Coast.

Boro will be confident of victory given their excellent recent form - they have won seven of nine games in all competitions and recorded four straight victories in the league.

On Saturday they moved four points clear of fourth place by defeating Charlton Athletic 3-1, with Lee Tomlin netting the pick of the goals just a day after he was named January's Player of the Month.

Aitor Karanka also won the league's Manager of the Month gong on Friday as Boro completed a January awards double and followed it up with another three points.

Given Boro's recent defensive stubbornness - they have conceded just two in nine games - Karanka might not tinker with his lineup even though Daniel Ayala is available again after serving a two-game ban.

He may also give some players a rest with the FA Cup fifth-round tie away to holders Arsenal on the horizon this weekend.

Hosts Blackpool haven't left the bottom three all season and are still without an away win following a 4-0 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday.

They remain nine points adrift of safety and will be somewhat relieved that almost all of the sides above them also lost at the weekend.

Lee Clark will know that facing Boro is a daunting task, but he might be able to welcome back both goalkeeper Joe Lewis and striker Steven Davies as they go for victory number five this season.

Their four home victories to date have all been 1-0 wins against sides not in playoff contention, but they will take heart from their display in the reverse when they held Boro to a 1-1 draw at the Riverside.

Blackpool:

Form in Championship: DWLLWL Form in all competitions: LWLLWL

Possible starting lineup: Lewis; McMahon, Clarke, O'Dea, Dunne; Perkins, O'Hara, Waddington, Orlandi; Cameron, Davies

Boro:

Form in Championship: DDWWWW Form in all competitions: DWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Konstantopoulos; Fredericks, Gibson, Ayala, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton; Adomah, Tomlin, Vossen; Bamford

Sports Mole says: 0-2