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

Despite the visitors currently sitting at the bottom of the standings, they can move to within two points of their hosts, while still possessing a game in hand, with victory at the Riverside Stadium.

Match preview

As of Thursday morning, Michael Carrick had not been announced as the permanent successor to Chris Wilder, but it is widely accepted that the former Manchester United midfielder will arrive at the North-East outfit.

If reports are to be believed, the 41-year-old initially turned down the chance to move to Boro, the U-Turn being performed earlier this week to finally give the Championship strugglers some stability heading into an important period before the World Cup.

Carrick would have been relieved to see Boro produce their best performance of the season on Wednesday evening, a comeback 4-1 triumph being recorded at Wigan Athletic with each of the quartet of strikes coming over a 25-minute period either side of half time.

Four different players got on the scoresheet, including Duncan Watmore and Chuba Akpom who have now netted four apiece, and it was a result which moved the club two points clear of the drop zone.

Sitting just eight points adrift of the playoffs, Carrick will arrive at Boro with aspirations of reaching the top six, although his short-term focus will be on ensuring that his talented squad are not scrapping for survival at the wrong end of the table.

Huddersfield are no strangers to appointing new managers with Mark Fotheringham now at the helm, but the Scot has discovered that he has much work ahead if he is to move the Terriers out of the trouble.

The Yorkshire outfit have collected just four points from five games since Fotheringham arrived at the John Smith's Stadium, the latest of three defeats coming at home to Preston North End in midweek.

A 1-0 defeat means that just three goals have been conceded in as many matches, a necessary response to shipping three times in each of Fotheringham's opening two games.

However, now sitting in bottom spot, last season's Championship playoff finalists are under pressure to avoid becoming cut adrift from the teams above them, Middlesbrough included in that list.

Middlesbrough Championship form:

D

L

W

L

L

W

Huddersfield Town Championship form:

W

L

D

W

L

L

Team News

Whether Leo Percovich or Carrick is in charge of Middlesbrough, they will have to make one alteration with Matt Crooks serving a one-match suspension.

Paddy McNair, having served a ban of his own, or Alex Mowatt are likely to come into the midfield, although Riley McGree is also an option, depending on whether a more attack-minded team is selected.

Barring any fitness issues, the remainder of the side should stay the same with Watmore and Akpom leading the line.

Fotheringham hinted after Tuesday's game with Preston that none of his injured Huddersfield players are likely to return at the weekend.

If a change is made, Yuta Nakayama may return to the back three or at left wing-back, while Jack Rudoni will be considered for a role behind the front two.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Steffen; Smith, Fry, Lenihan; Jones, Howson, McNair, Giles; Hackney, Watmore; Akpom

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:

Nicholls; Lees, Helik, Turton; Thomas, Camara, Kasumu, Nakayama; Rudoni; Rhodes, Ward

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Given their respective ambitions, this feels like a potentially-pivotal game with regards to the remainder of their season. Although the Terriers have the qualities to earn at least a share of the spoils, we can see Boro edging this contest through a late goal.

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