The Monday night Premier League action sees two north-east teams in need of points line up against each other at the Riverside.
Having been denied an excellent victory by a last gasp penalty at Leicester last weekend, Middlesbrough will be looking to secure an elusive three points as they welcome Hull on Monday evening.
Aitor Karanka’s side have won just twice in the Premier League this season and go into the weekend just a point above the bottom three.
Visitors Hull will climb above Boro with a win at the Riverside, and Mike Phelan’s side will have grown in confidence after advancing to the EFL Cup semi-finals with a victory on penalties against Newcastle in midweek.
Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo celebrates scoring their second goal
The Key Battle – Alvaro Negredo vs Michael Dawson
Negredo ended a goal drought stretching back to the opening day of the season with a brace last weekend, which Boro fans will hope can set the Spaniard off on a good run.
Experienced defender Dawson kept the in-form Dwight Gayle at bay for 120 minutes in midweek and faces another tough assignment against the former Manchester City frontman on Monday.
Hull City’s Michael Dawson applauds fans after the game
Last Meeting:
David Nugent’s late winner saw Middlesbrough claim all three points in March’s meeting between these two teams, who were flying high in the Championship at the time.
The Tigers have not won a league match away at Boro since 1986, though they did win at the Riverside in the FA Cup three seasons ago.
Recent form – most recent last:
Middlesbrough – LDWDLD
Hull – LLLWLD
Who’s the ref?
Mike Dean will take charge in the north-east.
The 48-year-old has shown red cards in each of his past two Premier League games, with Steven Pienaar and Winston Reid given their marching orders by Dean in recent weeks.
Mike Dean (L)
What time is kick off?
The match starts at 8pm.
Where can I watch it?
Middlesbrough v Hull is live on Sky Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Odds
Middlesbrough – 4/5
Draw – 12/5
Hull – 19/5
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