Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers square off at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday night having both collected four points from their opening two Championship fixtures.

After draws on the first week of the campaign, victories were recorded over Bristol City and Hull City respectively over the weekend.

Match preview

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When Neil Warnock witnessed his players succumb tamely to Blackpool in the EFL Cup, he did not shy away from criticising the level of the performance at Bloomfield Road.

However, his players and the club's supporters responded in kind, earning Warnock's praise as Boro posted what felt like an important 2-1 triumph over Bristol City.

While it is still early days in the season, Warnock will be delighted that he got the reaction that he craved with the two goals coming from new signings Uche Ikpeazu and Matt Crooks.

Having spoken openly about his squad's lack of strength in depth, it would come as no surprise if Boro make a number of loan additions before the end of the transfer window.

Nevertheless, there is optimism in the North-East that Warnock has already made some shrewd additions as they bid to remain in close proximity to the playoffs in the long term.

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The same can be said of their next opponents, who showcased their undoubted potential in cruising past Hull City at the KCOM Stadium.

Mark Warburton's team are regarded as the dark horses for promotion this year and there is every reason to believe that the Hoops will be in contention come the end of the season.

Even in the absence of Charlie Austin, QPR looked a class above their hosts, their three strikes coming from Chris Willock, Lyndon Dykes and Rob Dickie.

Willock looks to have found his home after a move to Benfica earlier in his career failed to pay off, and Warburton will have confidence that the playmaker can live up to the promise that he initially teased during the youth ranks at Arsenal.

Team News

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The extra day of recovery may encourage Warnock to select the same Middlesbrough XI from the weekend.

Marcus Tavernier and Duncan Watmore remain absent through injury, likely leaving Djed Spence to continue on the right-hand side of midfield.

Despite his high-profile arrival during the summer, Martin Payero is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench.

QPR could also be unchanged from the weekend with a number of absentees unlikely to return to the squad.

Having come through an hour unscathed against Hull, Ilias Chair is likely to get the nod over Andre Dozzell.

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

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dickie, De Wijs, Barbet; Odubajo, Ball, Johansen, Wallace; Chair; Willock, Dykes

We say: Middlesbrough 1-2 Queens Park Rangers

With both teams high in confidence after the weekend, we expect a closely-fought contest at the Riverside Stadium.

While the home side will have the backing of their supporters, we fancy QPR's extra quality in attack to be the difference.