Strachan: First game in charge
Gordon Strachan takes charge for the first time as high-flying Middlesbrough meet lowly Plymouth.
Strachan was appointed as Gareth Southgate's successor earlier this week and will be looking to make the perfect start after some disappointing results at The Riverside so far this season.
Plymouth are currently second bottom in the table but a victory could take them out of the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere.
Strachan could hand a debut to new signing Marcus Bent after drafting the striker in on loan from Birmingham.
The home side will be without Jeremie Aliadiere, who faces six weeks on the sidelines having undergone an ankle operation, leaving an already threadbare forward line looking even more lightweight.
On-loan forward Caleb Folan is still missing with a torn hamstring, while long-term absentees Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor (both ankle) and Matthew Bates (knee) also remain out.
Experienced midfielder Julio Arca returned to the bench after suspension for last weekend's 2-2 draw at Preston and he will again be in contention, although Strachan may opt to hand the Argentine a starting role.
Skipper Emanuel Pogatetz could also find himself with a starting place having been an unused substitute for the last two games after his recovery from knee surgery.
New Zealand international striker Rory Fallon is racing to be fit after suffering a calf strain in the 1-1 home draw with Ipswich last weekend.
Argyle manager Paul Sturrock will be without on-loan Cardiff defender Darcy Blake, who starts a three-match ban after his sending-off against the Tractor Boys.
He also has problems at right-back, with David Gray doubtful after picking up an ankle injury against Ipswich, and David McNamee almost certainly ruled out after rolling his ankle in the midweek reserve-team game against Exeter.
If those two are absent, Karl Duguid is set to fill in at right-back, but central defender Shane Lowry and midfielder Jim Paterson have trained this week after picking up injuries at the weekend.
Middlesbro' v Plymouth. Click here to bet.| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Monday 23rd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Preston vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Sheff Utd |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Watford |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Reading |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Swansea |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs Doncaster |
| 15:00 | Peterborough vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Plymouth vs Barnsley |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Coventry |
| 15:00 | Scunthorpe vs Leicester |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs West Brom |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Cardiff vs Ipswich |
| Monday 30th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 20:00 | Blackpool vs Preston |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 13:00 | Nottm Forest vs Leicester |
| 15:00 | Blackpool vs Barnsley |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Ipswich |
| 15:00 | Cardiff vs Preston |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Doncaster |
| 15:00 | Derby vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Watford |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| West Brom 4 - 1 Bristol City | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Nottm Forest | |
| Doncaster 2 - 0 QPR | |
| Watford 3 - 0 Scunthorpe | |
| Barnsley 1 - 0 Cardiff | |
| Reading 2 - 1 Blackpool | |
| Sheff Utd 1 - 0 Peterborough | |
| Coventry 1 - 1 Crystal Palace | |
| Ipswich 0 - 0 Sheff Wed | |
| Leicester 1 - 0 Plymouth | |
| Friday 20th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Swansea 1 - 0 Derby | |
| Monday 9th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Barnsley 2 - 2 Sheff Utd | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Swansea 3 - 2 Cardiff | |
| Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 1 Bristol City | |
| Leicester 1 - 2 West Brom | |
| Blackpool 4 - 1 Scunthorpe | |
| Watford 2 - 0 Preston | |
| Reading 1 - 1 Ipswich | |
| Plymouth 2 - 1 Doncaster | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Bromwich Albion | 17 | 34 |
| 2 | Newcastle United | 16 | 33 |
| 3 | Leicester City | 17 | 30 |
| 4 | Swansea City | 17 | 28 |
| 5 | Cardiff City | 17 | 27 |
| 6 | Queens Park Rangers | 17 | 27 |
| 7 | Blackpool | 17 | 27 |
| 8 | Watford | 17 | 27 |
| 9 | Nottingham Forest | 17 | 26 |
| 10 | Bristol City | 17 | 26 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 17 | 25 |
| 12 | Preston North End | 16 | 24 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 17 | 23 |
| 14 | Sheffield United | 17 | 21 |
| 15 | Barnsley | 17 | 21 |
| 16 | Doncaster Rovers | 17 | 18 |
| 17 | Sheffield Wednesday | 17 | 18 |
| 18 | Coventry City | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | Derby County | 17 | 17 |
| 20 | Reading | 17 | 17 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 17 | 17 |
| 22 | Plymouth Argyle | 17 | 15 |
| 23 | Ipswich Town | 17 | 13 |
| 24 | Peterborough United | 17 | 11 |
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