Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Cardiff City

Cardiff City travel to Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their eight-point lead at the top of the table.

Middlesbrough return to league action following their midweek FA Cup fifth-round defeat at the hands of Chelsea. Boro have endured a poor run of form in the league, having lost seven of their last nine games. Despite this, Tony Mowbray's side are one point and one place outside the playoff places.

Cardiff got back to winning ways with their 2-1 success against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. They have collected 23 points from a possible last 27 away from home.

Mowbray could stick with the same eleven which were beaten by Chelsea, although Marvin Emnes could be recalled to the side.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game and could name the same XI which saw off Wolves, which would see Craig Noone and Tommy Smith remain on the bench.

Recent form

Middlesbrough: LLWLDL

Cardiff City: WWDWLW

Possible starting lineups

Middlesbrough: Steele; Bailey, Friend, McManus, Bikey, Williams; Haroun, Leadbitter, McDonald, Emnes; Carayol

Cardiff City: Marshall; Taylor, Hudson, Turner; Whittingham, Cowie, Conway, Connolly, Gunnarsson; Campbell, Bellamy

Sports Mole says: 1-2