Middlesbrough v Derby County: Exciting Manchester City duo could make Championship debuts for Boro

The two teams will be confident after positive results in the FA Cup third round last weekend, with Middlesbrough earning a replay against Tottenham Hotspur and Derby causing an upset beating Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Middlesbrough are currently in 16th, one place above Derby in 17th with both teams sitting on 33 points.

The two sides have identical records in the league this season with both winning eight games, drawing nine and losing nine.

Boro have been on a run of form lately, winning their last four league games along with the well-deserved draw against Spurs in the FA Cup last Sunday.

In the previous match in November Derby won 2-0 with a dominant performance thanks to a Tom Lawrence double and George Saville seeing red in the 32nd minute.

The two teams have played each other 46 times in their history with Middlesbrough winning 23 games, Derby winning 14 and nine draws.

Boro’s two loan signings Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha could both make their Championship debuts for the club after Roberts played in the FA Cup last weekend.

Derby have won their last two league games 2-1 against Charlton Athletic and Barnsley - ending a seven game winless run.

New Derby player-coach Wayne Rooney made his debut for the Rams against Barnsley in the last league game, captaining the side and assisting the first goal in a 2-1 win.

Both sides have struggled for goals this season with the two teams scoring 26 goals in the league with only Wigan Athletic in 22nd place scoring less, with 24 goals.

Derby have a poor away record with only one win on their travels all season and seven losses, scoring eight times and conceding 23.

Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga are joint top scorers for Boro with six goals.

Martyn Waghorn is the top scorer for The Rams with eight goals in 27 appearances in all competitions this season.