Middlesbrough will look to make it back-to-back wins on the road this week when they face Watford at Vicarage Road.
Boro will be buoyed by the excellent midweek win away at Championship high-flyers West Bromwich Albion.
Hayden Hackney’s wonder strike in the second half was enough to separate the two sides as Michael Carrick’s side moved into the play-off places for the first time this season.
Their place isn’t safe though and if teams around them win their games in hand, they could find themselves out of the top six.
- READ MORE: Neil Maddison names the two Middlesbrough players who were simply ‘outstanding’ vs West Brom
Watford vs Middlesbrough kick-off time and date
The Teessiders make the trip down south to face Tom Cleverley’s Watford, with kick-off at 3 PM BST on Saturday 5 October.
- Date: Saturday 5 October 2024
- Kick-off time: 3 PM BST
- Stadium: Vicarage Road, Watford, UK
- Saturday 5th October Championship
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WatfordWatford
15:00
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough
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How to watch Watford vs Middlesbrough
UK viewers won’t be able to watch the full game live due to the 3 PM blackout rule imposed across the country.
Highlights are usually available to watch straight after the game on the club’s social media channels, as well as on YouTube and Sky Sports.
For those wishing to listen to audio commentary of the game, BBC Radio Tees Sport will have live coverage of Middlesbrough’s game.
Middlesbrough team news
Marcus Forss is still not ready to return.
The striker has been out since March but was named among the substitutes for the win at West Brom, however, Boro boss Carrick confirmed he was still some while away from being available again.
Anfernee Dijksteel was dropped from the starting XI for Tuesday’s win and replaced by Rav van den Berg following his return from injury, with the Dutchman and Luke Ayling expected to be the full-back duo.
Matt Clarke and Tommy Conway could also return after missing the last two games through injury.
Carrick also confirmed that Jonny Howson is close to returning earlier this month and may be included in the squad.
Dael Fry (pelvis), Darragh Lenihan (ankle), Tommy Smith, and Alex Bangura (both Achilles).
- READ MORE: Middlesbrough promotion chances outlined as Opta predict final 2024/25 Championship position
Watford team news
Watford could ring the changes after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Preston North End last time out.
Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and defender Francisco Sierralta both face lengthy spells on the sidelines. Jeremy Ngakia is also still a few weeks away from returning and Ryan Andrews could return to the starting XI again.
Predictions
Both sides have had contrasting fortunes in their midweek fixtures but with little room to separate the teams in the Championship league table, it won’t be an easy game for Boro by any means.
Boro seem to be growing in confidence week by week now though and three points is not an unrealistic aim by any stretch of the imagination.