Middlesbrough welcome Charlton Athletic to the North-East having performed in front of their own fans just once in the space of a month, but the midweek success at Manchester United should ensure that the Riverside Stadium is rocking on Saturday afternoon.
Charlton make the 510-mile round trip less than a week after making a change in the dugout, but despite the upheaval, they know that they need maximum points in order to move outside of the relegation zone.
Middlesbrough
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With 70 minutes gone against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, Middlesbrough were facing the possibility of a fourth game without a win and sitting outside of the playoffs for the first time since the start of the season.
However, Boro's comeback during the closing stages elevated the club into fourth place in the Championship table, and after the club also shocked Manchester United in the League Cup on Wednesday night, the gloom has been lifted at the Riverside Stadium.
Registering just one point from three games was hardly disastrous to a club who still remained in the top six, but defeats at Reading and Cardiff City had threatened to destabilise a club who have title ambitions this season, and could not really afford to fall eight points behind early leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
Playing 120 minutes at Old Trafford and the mental exertion that comes hand in hand with achieving a result at the Premier League giants might have taken its toll on Aitor Karanka's men ahead of Saturday's game, but the performance of his backline - generally regarded as the best in the Championship - would have been hugely encouraging to the Spaniard.
The goals have dried up to a certain extent during the absence of Cristhian Stuani, who has been ruled out until the end of November, but seeing off United with as many as five first-team players missing suggests that Karanka has enough options at his disposal to ensure that their recent slump was only temporary.
Recent form: WWLDLW
Recent form (all competitions): WLDLWD
Charlton Athletic
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After last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Brentford made it nine games without a win, it came as no surprise when the Charlton Athletic board made the decision to remove Guy Luzon from the dugout at The Valley.
The Addicks were arguably the most impressive team in the division after four games, but the late defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of August derailed their momentum, and since that afternoon, they have looked a shadow of the side who had remained unbeaten in games against Queens Park Rangers, Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Hull City respectively.
Responsibility for the club's results has now been passed over to Karel Fraeye, who has been appointed as interim coach, but he will know that drastic changes to the team's setup might be required to alter the fortunes of the club, who have not scored in their last three outings.
More onus may be placed on a defence who have not kept a clean sheet since August 18, but the trip to the North-East to play high-flying Middlesbrough could be considered a free shot to cause an upset, with Charlton not being fancied to earn a positive result, and possessing a terrible recent record against Boro.
The introduction of Jason Euell as first-team coach may have added something different on the training ground, but each player in the Charlton squad will know that they need to improve during match action, something which could materialise as they look to impress Fraeye and any onlookers who may have their eyes on the managerial role at the club.
Recent form: LLDLLL
Team News
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Karanka is expected to hand recalls to the players that missed out against Manchester United, including goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, who could replace penalty hero Tomas Mejias.
Diego Fabbrini and David Nugent should also find themselves involved from the start, while Adam Clayton is likely to come back into midfield.
Fraeye is expected to make a number of alterations to the team in his first game in charge, with Reza Ghoochannejhad and Conor McAleny both potential starters.
There could be changes elsewhere too, with Zakarya Bergidich and El-Hadji Ba in contention to come into the defence and midfield respectively.
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Konstantopoulos, Kalas, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Nsue, Downing, Fabbrini, Nugent
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Solly, Bauer, Sarr, Fox; Gudmundsson, Cousins, Ba, Moussa; McAleny, Ghoochannejhad
Head To Head
Saturday's fixture will represent the 103rd time that Middlesbrough and Charlton have squared off, with Boro winning 42 times compared to 35 triumphs for the Addicks.
Middlesbrough take a 10-match unbeaten record into this weekend's match, with their last setback against Charlton occurring at The Valley in March 2006.
The North-East team won last season's game at the Riverside Stadium by a 3-1 scoreline.
We say: Middlesbrough 2-0 Charlton Athletic
It remains to be seen whether Middlesbrough suffer any kind of hangover from the jubilation of Wednesday night, but regardless of whether they are at full strength, they should have enough to comfortably see off opposition who look poor in both defence and attack.
Darren Plant
