Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Derby County

Championship leaders Derby County will expect another stern test of their title credentials when they travel to face Middlesbrough at the Riverside this weekend.

The Rams bounced back from defeat at Leeds United to cruise past Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday, ensuring that they remain one point clear at the top of the standings.

The chasing pack all picked up victories as well, however, and should Steve McClaren's side lose in this weekend's early kickoff then they could end the day fourth in the table.

They will be confident of coming away with the points considering their recent run, though, with four wins in their last five, including victories over fellow promotion hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford.

A League Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea looms large on Tuesday, but McClaren is unlikely to rest any players with the Championship table so tight at the top.

The manager will have to decide whether to make a change at the back, however, with captain Richard Keogh pushing for a recall having shaken off a hamstring injury.

The clean sheet and convincing win against Brighton could persuade the former England boss to name an unchanged side, however, with 12-goal top scorer Chris Martin leading the line once again.

Martin will have a tough time adding to that tally against the league's stingiest defence, with Middlesbrough's 15 goals conceded being a large reason behind their playoff push this season.

Indeed, victory would see them move top of the table for a few hours at least having kept pace with the rest courtesy of an emphatic 5-1 victory away to Millwall last time out.

Boro were four goals to the good by half time at The Den, and Aitor Karanka is unlikely to see any need to change things, with hat-trick hero Jelle Vossen expected to start up front again.

Karanka himself will not be on the touchline, however, after he was handed a one-match ban for improper conduct earlier this week.

His side have now gone seven matches without defeat, although the majority of them have been draws, including three of their last four games at home.

Boro have recent history on their side too, winning seven and losing none of their last eight home matches against the Rams. Derby, meanwhile, have not kept a clean sheet at the Riverside since 1989.

Boro will still be without long-term absentees Rhys Williams and Jonathan Woodgate, although the pair have both returned to training and could be fit in time for the New Year.

Middlesbrough:

Recent form: WWDDDW

Possible starting lineup: Konstantopoulos; Nsue, Omeruo, Ayala, Friend; Adomah, Leadbitter, Clayton, Reach; Vossen, Bamford

Derby:

Recent form: LWWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Hendrick, Mascarell, Bryson; Russell, Martin, Dawkins

Sports Mole says: 2-2