Middlesbrough will be looking to continue their perfect start to the season when they head to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
After May's play-off final defeat to Hull City, Middlesbrough have shown ill-effects of that Wembley heartache and have started the term with two wins in a row.
Blackburn, back under the guidance of manager Tony Mowbray, followed up a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Burton Albion with a 2-2 draw at one of the Championship title favourites, Wolves.
Rovers conceded a penalty deep into stoppage-time at Molineux and they will present a stern challenge to Kim Hellberg's Boro.
Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 5/4
Alternative Bet - Will Lankshear anytime goalscorer @ 13/8
Bet Builder - Draw, Andri Gudjohnsen 1+ shots on target & Morgan Whittaker 2+ shots @ 5/1
Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 5/4
These two clubs played out 0-0 draws home and away last season, but there were a combined 40 shots across those meetings and a more goal-laden affair is anticipated in this Ewood Park encounter.
Blackburn have looked more attacking under returning boss Mowbray, who is in his second spell in charge, and his side have scored twice in each of their first two matches.
A 2-1 win over Burton in the EFL Cup was followed by a 2-2 draw against Wolves at Molineux in the league, a contest the visitors were unlucky not to take three points from after conceding a stoppage-time penalty.
While coming forward has not been a problem, Rovers have looked susceptible in defence and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven games.
A fragile backline could struggle to contain a Middlesbrough side who defeated Wrexham 1-0 in the EFL Cup before overcoming Lincoln 2-1 in the Championship.
Boro have scored at least once in seven of their last nine outings and their tally of 39 goals scored away from home in the league last season was bettered by just two teams.
But just two clean sheets in their last seven fixtures also highlight the weakest area of Middlesbrough's side and there could be plenty of goalmouth action in this Lancashire showdown.
Alternative Bet: Will Lankshear anytime goalscorer @ 13/8
Will Lankshear has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Middlesbrough following his summer move from Tottenham Hotspur, scoring on his debut in the EFL Cup win over Wrexham before netting twice in the Championship victory against Lincoln City.
The England U20 international, who scored 12 goals on loan at Oxford United last season, has fitted seamlessly into this Boro side and he can add to his tally against a fragile Blackburn defence.
Rovers have not kept a clean sheet since April and they will struggle to contain an in-form Lankshear.
Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough Bet Builder Tip
Draw
Andri Gudjohnsen 1+ shots on target
Morgan Whittaker 2+ shots
Pays 5/1
With Blackburn drawing four of their last five home games and Middlesbrough sharing the spoils in four of their last six away matches, another draw could be on the cards. Both meetings ended in 0-0 stalemates last season.
Andri Gudjohnsen has managed a shot on target in each of Blackburn's two games this season and he looks capable of testing the goalkeeper out at least once.
Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker is not afraid to have a pop at goal, evidenced by his record of at least two shots in nine of his last 10 starts, and he can fire away another couple of efforts.
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Key Match Stats
Blackburn are unbeaten in their first two matches, beating Burton in the EFL Cup before drawing at Wolves in the Championship
Rovers have drawn four of their last five home games
Middlesbrough have a 100 per cent record this season, defeating Wrexham in the cup and Lincoln in the league
Boro have failed to win their last six away games (D4 L2)
Will Lankshear has scored three goals in his first two appearances for Middlesbrough
Both meetings last season ended in 0-0 draws
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
