• Middlesbrough v Watford
  
• Sky Bet Championship
  
• Riverside Stadium
  
• Saturday January 28, 3pm KO
  
• Blue away kit
  

• Referee: Darren Bond
  
• Assistant Referees: Philip Dermott and Mark Pottage
  
• Fourth Official: Martin Woods
  

Boro host the Hornets this weekend at the Riverside Stadium, sitting sixth in the Sky Bet Championship standings and two points adrift of Slaven Bilić’s men.

Head Coach Michael Carrick spearheaded a run of eight wins in his first 12 games in charge following his October appointment, but Boro were served a 2-0 defeat at local rivals Sunderland last time out and will be eager to get their promotion charge back on track here.

Boro marksman Chuba Akpom is the top scorer in the Championship as it stands, with 13 goals in 2022/23.

• The Golden Boys have lost just one of their last six away games in the Championship, having won just one of their previous 12 away league games across the top-flight and second tier.
  
• Boro have won each of their last three league games at the Riverside Stadium, as many as in their first 10 of the 2022/23 campaign.
  
• Fifty-five per cent of Watford’s goals in the Championship this season have come after half-time, including each of their last seven in the competition since João Pedro’s 15th-minute penalty against Reading in November.

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Middlesbrough In Numbers.

Head Coach Slaven Bilić indicated in his pre-match press conference that Keinan Davis is expected to be involved against Middlesbrough, with the forward having been absent since the 1-0 win at Norwich City at the start of January.

Recent arrival Henrique Araújo could make his Hornets debut in the North-East, following his loan move from Benfica.

For full Watford team news, click HERE.

Middlesbrough will be without suspended centre-back Dael Fry, while fellow defenders Matt Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel are sidelined by injuries.

Slaven Bilić, Watford Head Coach:

“They’re a very good team. Since [Michael] Carrick has come in they’ve shown how good they are and the quality they possess, and we go there now with them just two points behind us in the table.

“The last game was a derby game, and they got a red card so I think it was probably just a one-off. They’ll be looking to get back on track, and with Carrick in charge - and all the experience and know-how he’s got - it’s going to be hard.

“But I think we’re in a good moment ourselves. We’ve shown over the last few weeks that without loads of players, and our full quality, that we can play good games and get points, and I’m hopeful that will be the case again this weekend.”

Michael Carrick, Middlesbrough Head Coach:

“It’s going to be a tough game, and it’s a challenge for us. They’ve got real strengths in certain areas and they’re a good team.

“The position of the teams in the league is irrelevant really, in terms of how we prepare - it’s just another game for us. The boys have been good this week in training, and we’re in a good frame of mind.”

Overall:

Won: 18
Drawn: 9
Lost: 14

Last Six:

August 2022: Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough (Championship)
April 2021: Middlesbrough 1-1 Watford (Championship)
September 2020: Watford 1-0 Middlesbrough (Championship)
January 2017: Watford 0-0 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
October 2016: Middlesbrough 0-1 Watford (Premier League)
April 2015: Watford 2-0 Middlesbrough (Championship)

The last clash between the two teams will live long in the memory of anyone in attendance last August, with Vakoun Bayo’s last-gasp strike sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Watford on the 100-year anniversary of the first match at Vicarage Road.

Rodrigo Muniz put the home festivities on ice when he headed Boro in front with less than five minutes on the clock, but Ismaïla Sarr coolly grabbed his second of the season to make it 1-1 before Bayo’s winner.