Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Blackpool

Middlesbrough welcome the Championship's basement side Blackpool to the Riverside on Tuesday looking to continue their positive start to the season.

Saturday's goalless draw at Charlton Athletic has left Boro in seventh position in the table, just four points off the leaders Norwich City after nine matches.

They have lost three times in the league, with two of those defeats coming on their own patch, but their last defeat in the Championship was against Reading at the end of August.

Since then, they have beaten Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City, in addition to taking Liverpool to penalties during a spectacular League Cup clash at Anfield last week.

Blackpool, however, are still looking for their first league win of the season. They have drawn two and lost seven of their nine league games thus far, with two points leaving them rooted to the bottom.

They were beaten 3-1 at home to leaders Norwich at the weekend, while they have managed just one goal on the road all season, with Jose Riga's troubles as boss showing no signs of ending.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five matches, with the further clash ending in a share of the spoils. The corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw, but Middlesbrough were 2-0 winners at Blackpool in January.

Middlesbrough will be without the services of Albert Adomah on Tuesday after the attacker saw red in the draw with Charlton at the weekend. As a result, Emmanuel Ledesma could come into the XI.

Top scorer Grant Leadbitter is also expected to start, while Patrick Bamford should retain his spot in attack alongside Spanish forward Kike.

Blackpool, meanwhile, have limited options for change. Jacob Mellis could come into the XI after appearing from the bench last time out, but the rest of the team should remain unchanged.

Recent form

Middlesbrough: WWWLD

Blackpool: LDLDL

Possible starting lineups

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos; Friend, Ayala, Omeruo, Reach; Clayton, Leadbitter, Tomlin; Bamford, Kike, Ledesma

Blackpool: Lewis; McMahon, J Oriol, Daniels, Perkins; Cubero, Lundstram,, Miller, Zoko; Delfouneso, Ranger

Sports Mole says: 2-0