Seventh-placed Middlesbrough play host to Huddersfield Town in the Championship on Easter Monday trailing their opponents, who occupy third spot, by seven points in the standings.
However, with Boro possessing a game in hand, they can potentially put the Terriers under pressure with regards to the playoffs with victory at the Riverside Stadium
On the back of thrashing Peterborough United by a 4-0 scoreline upon their return from the international break, Middlesbrough looked well set to make a sustained bid for the playoff positions.
However, Chris Wilder has witnessed his side fail to score in three successive matches, leading to just one point being recorded from games against Fulham, Hull City and Bournemouth.
Although the positives will be taken from holding the latter of those sides to a goalless draw on away territory, Boro now sit outside of the top six by two points.
Despite possessing a game in hand, Wilder will recognise that points on the board are more important at this stage of the season, while they only sit three points clear of 12th position.
After this fixture, Boro’s run-in is more favourable than many of their rivals, but a fourth game without success at this stage of the campaign could prove pivotal in the race for promotion.
Ahead of Friday’s home fixture with Queens Park Rangers, everyone associated with Huddersfield would have felt that it was the ideal contest to collect another three points in a bid to stay relevant in the automatic promotion picture.
However, Carlos Corberan watched on helplessly as his side twice gave up an advantage against the out-of-form Hoops, eventually having to settle for a 2-2 draw.
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In the grand scheme of things, Huddersfield are still seven points clear of seventh spot with four matches remaining, a scenario which they would have accepted without argument at the start of the season.
That said, should they qualify for the playoffs, the Terriers need to show more of a ruthless streak at both ends of the pitch if they want to earn another year in the Premier League.
At a time when Boro have lost their last two home fixtures by a 1-0 scoreline, Huddersfield have prevailed in three of their last five away encounters
