Middlesbrough will face off with Sunderland in a Championship fixture on Saturday afternoon.
Boro face a short trip up the A19 for a meeting with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this weekend.
Michael Carrick will be keen to see his side get back to winning ways after a disappointing result last time out.
Middlesbrough drew 1-1 with Preston North End in their last Championship fixture, with Tommy Conway’s opener cancelled about by another defensive error.
That draw means Boro have accumulated just eight points from a possible 15 so far, dropping down to 10th in the league table.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 8 |  DerbyDerby | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| 9 |  LeedsLeeds | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| 10 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 11 |  SwanseaSwansea | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Sunderland also failed to win this past weekend, losing 3-2 to Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle but they are still second in the Championship after five games.
Despite a considerably slower start to the season than their local rivals, Middlesbrough are predicted to draw with Sunderland on Saturday.
Middlesbrough team news for Sunderland
Boro’s ongoing injury crisis has eased somewhat over the last week or so.
Riley McGree has returned to the first-team fold after picking up an injury on the opening day.
Long-term absentee Marcus Forss has been spotted in training this week as well.
However, Carrick still has a couple of problems to contend with going into the match.
The Middlesbrough boss provided an injury update on Rav van den Berg and Jonny Howson on Thursday but was coy regarding the duo’s potential involvement versus Sunderland.
He said: “Johnny and Rav are a little bit closer but whether that be close enough again [to feature vs Sunderland] is a bit of a push but we’ll wait and see.
“Other than that, it’s as is.”
Middlesbrough predicted XI vs Sunderland
With Howson and Van den Berg’s involvement still up in the air, it is safe to assume George Edmundson will likely make his second start of the season alongside Matt Clarke at centre-back.
Aidan Morris should also return to the starting line-up after Dan Barlaser struggled versus Preston last weekend.
Further forward, Ben Doak may be brought into the eleven on the right wing in place of the underperforming Isaiah Jones.
Doak made his Middlesbrough debut against Paul Heckingbottom’s men from the bench and showed enough to warrant his first start on September 21st.
Carrick also has a major decision to make over who will be his number 10 against Sunderland.
Conway operated in that role last time out and after scoring, he will likely keep his place, forcing Finn Azaz out onto the left flank once more.
Here’s how we think Middlesbrough will line up against Sunderland on Saturday…
Dieng (GK)
Ayling
Edmundson
Clarke
Borges
Hackney
Morris
Doak
Conway
Azaz
Latte Lath