Wolverhampton Wanderers play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their opponents' recent barren spell in front of goal, which has lasted for over three games.
However, Boro travel to the West Midlands having already registered a win over Wolves in the Capital One Cup, and Aitor Karanka and his squad will be confident of a repeat result in the Championship.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
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When Wolves went into the international break having recorded back-to-back 3-0 wins against Fulham and Huddersfield Town, it appeared that they were ready to push towards a playoff place, but two disappointing displays in three days have left the club firmly in mid-table.
The 4-2 setback at Derby County on Sunday was largely down to soft defending and head coach Kenny Jackett would have demanded an improvement against Brentford, who had recently changed their boss and were sitting just above the relegation zone.
However, Wolves succumbed 2-0 in front of a frustrated Molineux crowd, with both goals coming courtesy of a ball over the top of the defence, and the likes of Benik Afobe and Adam Le Fondre - who have contributed over half of the team's goals this season - misfiring in the final third.
Wednesday's defeat was the fifth in 12 games for Wolves and with a six-point gap being established between themselves and the playoffs, and just five above the relegation zone, Jackett is under increasing pressure to deliver a result against Middlesbrough on Saturday, as well as at second-places Birmingham City next weekend.
Jackett sided with the club's fans after his team were jeered at the full-time whistle on Wednesday evening, but he will be aware that the reaction from the Molineux supporters will only escalate should his team fail to deliver for the third time in the space of a week.
It is their form in the West Midlands that has arguably left them adrift of the top six - just eight points have been recorded from half-a-dozen home fixtures - unless that improves, Wolves will not build on their seventh-place finish last season.
Recent form: DDWWLL
Recent form (all competitions): LDWWLL
Middlesbrough
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A five-match winning streak between August 29 and September 27 had kept Middlesbrough firmly on the heels of unbeaten Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, but three disappointing performances in a row have left Karanka's men outside of the playoffs.
Falling four places in the table is a clear indication of how competitive the second tier of English football really is, but Karanka will be more concerned about his highly-talented squad failing to maintain the standards that have been set since the start of last season.
Even during their 3-0 victory against Leeds United, they gave their opponents enough encouragement that the result could have been different, but they have enjoyed no such luck since the start of October, recording just one point and failing to score in three matches.
The club's backline, which is widely regarded as the strongest in the division, continues to perform, however. Two of the three goals that have been conceded during the winless run have come from a penalty and an own goal, but not finding the back of the net in 279 minutes has hindered their efforts to remain in the top six.
Karanka will be confident that his team will end their recent run in front of goal against opposition who are not performing with authority in defence, but much of that could depend on the return of top goalscorer Cristhian Stuani, who picked up an injury on international duty earlier this month.
Recent form: WWWLDL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLDL
Team News
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Wolves defender Matt Doherty will start at right-back after Dominic Iorfa picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in midweek, resulting in a one-match ban.
David Edwards will be assessed over the next 24 hours, but the feeling is that he will feature in the squad, while both Jed Wallace and Nathan Byrne are in contention for starts in midfield.
While not completely dismissing his return, Karanka has said that he will not rush back Stuani, who is said to have made progress in the treatment room from the muscle injury sustained playing for Uruguay.
Karanka has reported no fresh injury concerns, but Kike and Emilio Nsue may be drafted into the starting lineup after making substitute appearances against Cardiff City.
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Doherty, Batth, Hause, Golbourne; McDonald, Coady, Henry, Byrne; Afobe, Le Fondre
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Ayala, Amorebieta, Friend; Clayton, Leadbitter, Adomah, Nugent, Downing; Kike
Head To Head
In 90 previous matches between the two sides, Wolves have won on 43 occasions, with just 27 victories being registered by Middlesbrough.
As far as the last five matches are concerned, the home team has prevailed each time, with the last away success coming in September 2009 when Boro won an FA Cup tie at Molineux.
The clubs met as recently as September 22, with Middlesbrough easing to a 3-0 triumph over a much-changed Wolves team in the Capital One Cup.
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Middlesbrough
Neither side will line up at Molineux with a great deal of confidence but the fixture should suit Middlesbrough, who will be eager to take advantage of Wolves' indecision in defensive areas. A closely-fought match could end with Middlesbrough just doing enough to come through by the odd goal in three.
Darren Plant
