Middlesbrough will be determined to continue their unbeaten start to the season against Bristol City at the Riverside Stadium.
The North-East side drew 1-1 in midweek against Derby County, while City picked up their first point of the season with a late comeback against Leeds United.
Middlesbrough
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Boro were denied victory in their Championship clash against Derby at the iPro Stadium as Johnny Russell struck at the death to secure a point for the Rams.
Aitor Karanka's men had held the lead in the contest since the 15th minute as Kike notched his third goal in two games, but the pressure finally told on the Boro goal as Paul Clement's men earned a share of the spoils.
Middlesbrough were on the back foot for the majority of the second half at the iPro Stadium and could not find the form they produced in their commanding 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside last week.
However, Karanka's side are still unbeaten in the league and have showed no signs of a hangover from their defeat in last season's playoff final against Norwich City, which will please the Spaniard.
Stewart Downing has yet to get up to speed at the club, but Diego Fabbrini has hit the ground running following his loan move from Watford, while fellow new signing David Nugent is waiting for his first chance in the starting lineup.
Defensively Middlesbrough have started the new campaign where they left off last season when they boasted the best record in the division. The strike from Russell was the first goal they conceded in the Championship this season as their defence already looks as stout as last term.
Karanka's men scored the fewest goals in the top six last season, but he has made efforts to remedy the problem by adding Nugent and Christian Stuani to his squad. He will be looking to his forward line to fire against newly-promoted City on Saturday.
Recent form: DWWDWD
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWD
Bristol City
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Steve Cotterill's men scored two late goals to salvage a point in their clash against Leeds at Ashton Gate to earn their first point of the season.
The Whites went ahead through goals from Mirco Antenucci and Chris Wood, but the Robins battled back in the dying minutes as Kieran Agard found the net before Aden Flint scored in the 95th minute to secure a draw for his team.
The result will give City a great deal of confidence to get their first win in their Championship campaign after losing their opening two matches of the season to Sheffield Wednesday and Brentford, while they also crashed out of the Capital One Cup at the hands of Luton Town.
Cotterill's men have been poor at the back in their opening matches as they have conceded eight goals in their three Championship games, and they allowed a further three in their defeat to the Hatters. The Robins will have to tighten up to have any hope of remaining in the division.
City have proven they can score goals in the Championship following their exploits in their last two matches as they have netted four goals. The club have tried to strengthen their striking options by trying to sign Andre Gray and Dwight Gayle, but both players have spurned their advances.
Aaron Wilbraham and Agard will have to be relied upon to get the goals for City to keep them in the league, but they will face a tough task against the best defence in the Championship on Saturday.
Recent form: DDLLLD
Recent form (all competitions): DLLLLD
Team News
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Boro have no new injury worries ahead of the clash as defender Ben Gibson returned to action in midweek against Derby County.
Jonathan Woodgate is battling to regain his fitness following his long struggles with injury problems, but is unlikely to feature against the Robins.
Nugent will push for a starting berth at the Riverside, although the form of Kike may keep him out of the lineup.
Agard will come into contention to start against Karanka's men following his goal in the clash with Leeds, which could see Callum Robinson drop back to the bench.
Mark Little could return to action as well following his recovery from injury, but striker Luke Freeman will miss the match as he is still serving his suspension.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dimi; Kalas, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Adomah, Clayton, Leadbitter, Downing, Fabbrini; Kike
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Hamer; Ayling, Flint, Williams; Fredericks, Smith, Pack, Agard, Bryan; Kodjia, Wilbraham
Head To Head
City won the last match between the sides as they recorded a 2-0 victory at Ashton Gate through strikes from now-Boro man Albert Adomah and Steve Davies.
The Robins did the double over the North-East side in the 2012-13 season as Adomah and Davies also netted in the match at the Riverside along with Stephen Pearson in a 3-1 win.
Over the course of history, Middlesbrough have recorded 30 wins in the fixture compared to City's 20, while 22 of the matches have ended in draws.
We say: Middlesbrough 3-0 Bristol City
Middlesbrough have been in excellent form this season and their record at the Riverside under Karanka is formidable. The North-East side should have more than enough quality to secure the victory on Saturday.
Simon Sinclair
