Middlesbrough v Wolves preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football
Watch live on Sky Sports Football or Main Event from 5.15pm on Friday
Friday 30 March 2018 19:04, UK
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis could field the same team for the fourth successive game as Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves head for the Riverside Stadium on Friday, live on Sky Sports Football from 5.15pm.
The same 11 men have started the victories over Birmingham and Barnsley and the draw with Brentford in the club's last three games with key midfielder Grant Leadbitter having to make do with a seat on the bench at Griffin Park on his return from suspension.
Central defender Daniel Ayala has benefited from the international break after playing through a groin injury immediately before it, while Adama Traore, Mo Besic and Dael Fry returned from duty with their respective countries unscathed.
Full-back Fabio da Silva is closing in on a return from his thigh problem, but striker Rudy Gestede is out for the season after undergoing ankle surgery.
Wolves will once again be without striker Diogo Jota as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. The Portuguese limped out of the 3-0 home victory over Reading on March 13 and missed the 3-1 victory against Burton four days later, although the damage is not thought to be as serious as was first feared.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has no fresh injury problems with all his international players having returned to the club in good shape. Wolves sit 13 points clear of third-placed Fulham with just eight games remaining and have lost only to the Londoners and fellow promotion challengers Aston Villa in their last 10 outings.
Opta stats
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last 25 home matches against Wolves in all competitions since losing 2-1 in April 1951 against the side managed by Stan Cullis.
Despite facing Middlesbrough in 43 previous league seasons, Wolves have never completed a league double over them.
Adama Traoré has been involved in six goals in his last eight Championship matches (four goals, two assists).
Wolves haven't lost back to back away league matches since March 2017.
Tony Pulis has ended on the winning side in each of his last four meetings with Wolves in all competitions.
Just three of Rúben Neves' 72 shots in the Championship this season have been from inside the box - each of his last 52 attempts at goal have been from outside the box since he missed a penalty against Sheffield United in September.
Prutton's prediction
Wolves are 13 points clear of third and it would take an almighty collapse for them to fail in winning promotion now.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, are right in the thick of the scrap for a play-off spot and there are four sides queuing behind them waiting for any slip-ups. Tony Pulis will have his side right up for this one but I think Wolves will have too much quality.
David Prutton predicts: 0-1 with Benik Afobe to score (22/1 with Sky Bet)
