Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion face a long trip to Middlesbrough as they attempt to stay in the playoff places in the Championship.

Boro stand a very slim chance of making it into the top six, but they are on an abysmal run of form that has seen five defeats and a draw from their last six games.

Brighton have missed a couple of chances in recent games to move above Nottingham Forest and with only one win from six they will need to improve sooner rather than later.

For Boro, Marvin Emnes faces a fitness test ahead of the clash and if he is not fit to start then Ishmael Miller could continue up front.

Kazenga LuaLua came off the bench for Brighton to score again Leicester so he might be rewarded with a start, while Leonardo Ulloa remains their only eligible first-team striker.

Recent form

Boro: LLLLDL

Brighton: LLWDDD

Possible starting lineups

Boro: Steele; Hoyte, Williams, Woodgate, Halliday; Ameobi, Leadbitter, McEachran, Haroun, Carayol; Emnes

Brighton: Kuszczak; Calderon, Greer, Upson, Bridge; Bridcutt, Hammon, Lopez; Orlandi, LuaLua; Ulloa

Sports Mole says: 0-1