There have been times this season when Huddersfield have looked ready to establish themselves as a top-six team, particularly having impressed during the opening weeks of the season.
However, the Terriers have not recorded back-to-back league wins since the end of August, their latest failed attempt coming on Wednesday as they lost 1-0 to playoff rivals Queens Park Rangers.
Having failed to win away from home since September 14, the defeat hardly came as a surprise, but Carlos Corberan would have been frustrated to concede a goal nine minutes from time.
Huddersfield are now back down in eighth position, three points adrift of sixth-placed Stoke City, and there is extra pressure on maintaining their superb run at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The Yorkshire outfit have collected 13 points from a possible 15, Corberan’s side keeping clean sheets in each of their last four home fixtures.
Chris Wilder would have had high hopes of starting his Middlesbrough reign with at least four points ahead of home matches with Millwall and Preston North End.
However, the newly-appointed boss has quickly discovered that all is not perfect at the Riverside Stadium, a 1-1 draw being followed by a 2-1 reverse on Tuesday.
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Conceding two late goals in the latter of those games could be put down to tiredness with Wilder opting against making any alterations from the weekend.
Boro’s season is now at somewhat of a crossroads, the margin to the playoffs and relegation zone both standing at eight points, and he will be desperate for a reaction from his players on Saturday.
Despite possessing one of the poorer away records in the division, Middlesbrough have still collected four points from their last three games on unfamiliar territory
