Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Luton Town make the long trip to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough looking for the win which will keep the club in the Championship playoff places.

However, the Hatters hold just a two-point advantage over their hosts, who have lost two of their last three fixtures in this division.

Match preview

© Reuters

Given their consistency at the turn of the year, Chris Wilder would not have envisaged his Middlesbrough side failing to record successive league wins across a seven-game period.

Such a run has left Boro sitting outside of the playoff spots by two points, their latest defeat coming at the hands of resurgent Barnsley.

Nevertheless, the North-East outfit shook off that disappointment with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, backing up their success over Manchester United in the previous round.

Progress in that competition is far less of a priority than achieving promotion, but Josh Coburn's extra-time goal has given Boro the boost that they required ahead of this contest.

Although Boro have scored 12 times in six league games, goals from their forwards have been few and far between, potentially giving Coburn a chance to stake his claim ahead of his senior teammates.

© Reuters

Luton were also involved in FA Cup action earlier this week, pushing Chelsea all of the way before eventually succumbing by a 3-2 scoreline at Kenilworth Road.

Despite the frustration of letting a lead slip on two occasions, Nathan Jones will be encouraged by how his players performed against the European and world champions.

Returning to league matters, the Hatters will now attempt to further extend their current impressive run of five wins from six matches, the latest coming by a 1-0 scoreline against Derby County.

Danny Hylton has now scored in two successive Championship matches, and Luton head into this contest knowing that victory could take them above fourth-placed Blackburn Rovers, who travel to leaders Fulham, on goal difference.

Jones's side have won four of their last six league fixtures away from home, a vast improvement on just two victories coming from the previous 10 outings.

Team News

© Reuters

Middlesbrough youngster Coburn could be handed just his third league start of the season, potentially in place of Andraz Sporar.

James Lea Siliki may bring fresh legs to a midfield which saw two players complete 120 minutes on Tuesday evening and a third withdrawn after 118 minutes.

Sol Bamba is also an option if Wilder chooses to add another new face to the team.

Young goalkeeper Harry Isted is in line to deputise for Jed Steer, who sustained an Achilles injury against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Henri Lansbury and Elijah Adebayo may come back into the team after missing the fixture with the Premier League giants through injury.

James Bree and Hylton should also be among the players to feature after dropping to the substitutes' bench in midweek.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Djiksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Siliki, Taylor; Watmore, Coburn

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Isted; Burke, Lockyer, Naismith; Bree, Campbell, Osho, Lansbury, Bell; Cornick, Adebayo

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Luton Town

With both teams producing fine efforts in the FA Cup, they may struggle to replicate those performances during this contest. There is an argument that this is a true 50-50 contest, but the extra rest and home advantage could prove pivotal for Boro, and we are backing a narrow victory for the North-East outfit.