Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Sheffield Wednesday

A win for Middlesbrough against Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside Stadium on Friday will send Tony Mowbray's men to the top of the Championship table heading into the weekend.

The Teesside club failed to top the standings on Tuesday when they could only draw 0-0 at Nottingham Forest, a result that brought an end to a run of six consecutive victories.

Sheffield Wednesday go into the match with two wins from their last three, although they were beaten 2-0 by Blackpool last time out.

Despite an already lengthy list of absentees that includes Marvin Emnes, Jonathan Woodgate and Rhys Williams, Boro have no new injury concerns ahead of the match.

Meanwhile, Wednesday boss Dave Jones could name a similar side to that which lost in midweek.

Recent form:

Middlesbrough: WWWWWD

Sheff Weds: LDLWWL

Possible lineups:

Middlesbrough: Steele; Amougou, Friend, Hines, Parnaby; Leadbitter, Bailey, Haroun, McEachran; McDonald, Jutkiewicz

Sheff Weds: Kirkland; Buxton, Gardner, D Jones, Llera; Semedo, Antonio, McCabe, Barkley; O'Grady, Bothroyd

Sports Mole says: 3-1