Middlesbrough have only registered one win in November
Derby have won six of their last seven matches
Recommended bet: Derby to win and both teams to score
Middlesbrough welcome Derby County to Teesside on Saturday afternoon, as both teams look to fuel their promotion ambitions with another important victory.
Following Rob Edwards' acrimonious departure to Premier League stragglers Wolves, Swedish tactician Kim Hellberg takes charge of his first fixture as Boro boss.
The latest Middlesbrough vs. Derby odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Hellberg will be without centre-back Dael Fry, who is still unavailable due to a calf injury.
Fellow defender Matt Targett was struggling with a similar issue ahead of Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat to Coventry City, but it appears the former Newcastle ace has now fully returned to the fold.
Aidan Morris was withdrawn early on against the league leaders, but it appears this was just a precaution in light of the American midfielder sustaining a heavy knock.
However, there’s a question mark surrounding the fitness of Slovakia international David Strelec, after it was revealed he recently travelled to London to see a specialist regarding intense pain in his foot.
Derby’s injury list is far more extensive, with John Eustace currently missing six first-team players.
After making a positive start to life at Pride Park following the agreement of his season-long loan spell from Crystal Palace, David Ozoh faces a short spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
Wing-back Max Johnston is still nursing a hamstring strain, so misses out, while, club captain Lewis Travis is poised to make his long-awaited return next month.
The absence of top scorer Carlton Morris could be huge, as the striker commences his recovery from a knee injury.
Owen Beck has returned to his parent club Liverpool to receive further treatment for his hamstring tear, while Rhian Brewster will soon be back in action.
The stats
Boro have only accumulated six points since October's narrow victory over rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday, an average of just one point per game.
The Teessiders suffered their first Championship home defeat this season on Tuesday night, doubling the number of goals they’ve conceded at the Riverside in the process.
Derby boast one of the best away records in the division, having only been beaten twice on the road this term.
Although the Rams have demonstrated immense attacking prowess in recent weeks, they have struggled to keep the back door shut.
A return of three clean sheets in 17 Championship fixtures suggests defensive issues could thwart their progress.
The latest Middlesbrough vs. Derby odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Middlesbrough may still hold a lofty position in the Championship standings, but things seemed to be starting to unravel ahead of Edwards' untimely exit.
Plenty of teams have been unable to prevent Coventry from steamrolling them this season, but Tuesday's heavy loss will do little to raise spirits in the Boro camp.
Conversely, Derby are flying following a hugely impressive sequence of results. The Rams only recorded two triumphs in their opening six matches across all competitions, but appear to have now turned a corner.
Eustance's men have only kept one clean sheet away from home this season, but they will be confident of scoring a couple at the other end should Boro find a route past Jacob Zetterstrom.
Back Derby to win and both teams to score priced at 7/1 with LiveScore Bet
