Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Middlesbrough welcome Bristol City to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to build on last weekend's draw at Fulham.

Despite recording the same result as their hosts, Bristol City are eager to respond to conceding a last-gasp equaliser to newly-promoted Blackpool.

Match preview

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Having fought back to earn a share of the spoils at Fulham on Sunday afternoon, Neil Warnock would have been optimistic that Middlesbrough would earn another positive result at Blackpool in the EFL Cup.

However, the North-East outfit were thoroughly outplayed by their hosts, handing a wake-up call to a group of players who are hoping to challenge for the playoffs.

While Warnock made a number of changes to the team which impressed at Craven Cottage, he acknowledged that he had been left bitterly disappointed with his side's performance at Bloomfield Road.

With a home double-header in the league to come, Boro have the perfect opportunity to get back on track in front of their returning supporters at the Riverside Stadium.

Nevertheless, Boro currently have the look of a team who could struggle for goals this season, something which Warnock must change as soon as possible.

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As far as Bristol City are concerned, they are also awaiting their first win after games with Blackpool and Forest Green Rovers.

Three days after conceding a late goal at home to the Seasiders, Nigel Pearson witnessed his players do the same against League Two opponents in the EFL Cup.

Bristol City would go on to lose the tie in a penalty shootout, putting the Robins under pressure to deliver on their visit to a club who could emerge as rivals later in the season.

On the positive side, Saikou Janneh netted a double at The New Lawn, justifying Pearson's decision to hand him an opportunity in the first team.

Team News

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Warnock could revert back to the team which started the fixture with Fulham, leaving Martin Payero among the replacements.

However, Marcus Tavernier is an option after recovering from injury, while Luke Daniels may be brought in for his debut ahead of Joe Lumley.

With Bristol City playmaker Callum O'Dowda unlikely to feature in this contest, Janneh could be handed his first start in the Championship.

Kasey Palmer may be recalled if Pearson opts for more experience in creative areas, but the rest of the team could stay the same.

Tomas Kalas is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench after coming through 90 minutes on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Dijksteel, Hall, Fry, Bola; Crooks, Howson, McNair; Tavernier, Ikpeazu, Watmore

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Baker, Atkinson, Dasilva; James, King; Janneh, Palmer, Weimann; Martin

We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Bristol City

Having both recorded disappointing results in midweek, both Warnock and Pearson are aware that they can ill-afford another setback. With that in mind, do not be surprised if an uneventful contest ends in a low-scoring draw.