Middlesbrough are looking to go into the October international break on the back of a perfect week.
Middlesbrough face a long journey down south for a Championship meeting with Watford on Saturday afternoon.
It will be another tough test for Michael Carrick’s men, who are aiming to pick up nine points from three games in seven days.
Boro’s early season form was not great but they have since enjoyed a prolific run in the last six days or so.
Middlesbrough beat Stoke City 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday, earning just their third win of the campaign.
West Bromwich Albion then awaited the Teessiders at The Hawthorns in midweek and despite the Baggies being top of the table at the time, Boro came out on top.
Hayden Hackney was the standout performer when Middlesbrough beat West Brom 1-0, scoring his second goal in as many games.
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Watford vs Middlesbrough score prediction
Middlesbrough go into the game with a decent record against the Hornets in recent times.
Carrick’s men did the double over Watford in the 2023/24 season, including picking up a 3-2 win at Vicarage Road.
However, Watford have been solid at home so far this term and now, speaking on the Championship Check-In podcast, EFL pundit Sam Parkin has predicted a close game between these two sides, with Boro’s winning run tipped to come to an end.
He said: “They [Watford] dropped just two points at home in a 1-1 with Coventry. I think they will drop points again but I’m happy to give them the draw, absolutely.
“I think Watford, as they again seem to have a habit of doing, will knuckle down and perform in front of their own supporters. I’m going to go for a 1-1.”
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Three players must step up for Middlesbrough vs Watford
Watford are just below Middlesbrough in the Championship table going into this clash.
But their home form means it could be one of the toughest tests the Teessiders have faced so far this season.
As a result, Carrick will need several of his key players to step up during the 90 minutes over the weekend.
Hackney has been ‘outstanding’ for Middlesbrough in their last two fixtures and Carrick may need another big performance from the 22-year-old if his side are to steal the three points.
While he has performed well for the most part, the Boro manager could also do with Emmanuel Latte Lath finally scoring an open-play goal this campaign.
And with the North East outfit expected to face a lot of pressure in their box, Rav van den Berg will need to be at his best if Middlesbrough are to keep a third clean sheet in a row.