Middlesbrough make the short trip North to Wearside this weekend, looking to make it six wins in a row in all competitions against Sunderland.
The Black Cats are marooned at the bottom of the Championship table and are desperate for points.
Even the good feeling from their recent three-goal comeback against Bristol City has all but dissipated after weak defeats to Brentford and Bolton.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough dispatched Sunderland's fellow relegation strugglers Hull City 3-1 on Tuesday evening.
But two wins and two defeats in their last four means their form is difficult to pin down as they struggle to put together a credible play-off challenge.
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