Derby County travel to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday looking to complete a league double over a Middlesbrough side who have improved of late.
The Rams won the reverse fixture against Boro 2-0 at Pride Park.
But Middlesbrough have picked up of late. They’ve won four straight Championship games and held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup.
(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images).
Derby, meanwhile, are undefeated in four games in all competitions and earned their first away win since August with a 1-0 FA Cup win at Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Here is how we believe Derby will line up.
The Rams made numerous changes to the side which won at Crystal Palace. For what seems like the first time this season, manager Phillip Cocu has options at his disposal.
Max Lowe and Matthew Clarke should come back into the team. The big question is who out of Andre Wisdom or Jayden Bogle should get the right-back slot.
In midfield, Wayne Rooney is likely to keep his place in a deep-lying playmaker role.
Tom Huddlestone’s recent long-term injury layoff may see Cocu opt for Max Bird following his excellent displays in the victories over Charlton Athletic and Barnsley.
Jason Knight and Duane Holmes should come back in. The duo have also been in top form of late, and their versatility means they can drift in from wide positions.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images).
Martyn Waghorn and Jack Marriott cost Derby a combined £10 million. However, the two strikers have rarely played upfront together, though that may now change.
With more energy and control in midfield, the Rams have altered their system of late. Having both Waghorn and Marriott lead the line has plenty of attacking potential.
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