Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough will be looking to close the gap between themselves and the play-offs to just goal difference when they face Tony Mowbray's Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon.

Boro currently are in seventh in the Championship, three points off sixth, with a win meaning just goal difference separates the Reds from the play-off positions.

Meanwhile, Blackburn are in twelfth, nine points off the play-offs after a mixed run of form, with two wins, two draws and two losses in their last six games. A win on Teesside would take them to six points off the play-offs.

Team news

Boro are to be without Grant Hall, Ashley Fletcher and Marcus Browne, who are all unavailable.

Marvin Johnson could make a return to the starting lineup after coming on as a sub in the 1-2 win at Nottingham Forest midweek.

Blackburn have a number of injuries, including the home side's former captain Daniel Ayala. Sam Gallagher, Corry Evans, Joe Rankin-Costello, Scott Wharton and Elliott Bennett are all unavailable.

Predicted lineups

Middlesbrough:

Bettinelli; Dijksteel, McNair, Fry, Bola, Howson, Saville, Morsy, Tavernier, Assombalonga, Johnson.

Blackburn:

Kaminski; Nyambe, Lenihan, Branthwaite, Douglas, Travis, Rothwell, Elliott, Dack, Brereton, Armstrong.

Ones to watch

George Saville

With the second-most goals and the most assists for Middlesbrough this season, Saville has been a crucial creator.

The Ulsterman has been a revelation this season, after struggling to live up to the hefty £7 million Boro spent on him over two years ago, but is looking like he could make that money well spent.

Adam Armstrong

Joint top goalscorer in the Championship with 16 goals, Armstrong has yet again shown why he is Premier League quality.

His pace in behind has been lethal this season, and it could be a massive problem for their opposition, who have slow centre backs.

Previous meetings

The last time these two sides met was earlier this season in November when it ended all square at Ewood Park in a 0-0 draw.

How to watch

This match will kick-off at 15:00 pm on Sunday, January 24, and is available to watch on Sky Sports Football and Main Event.

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