Duncan Watmore starts: The predicted Middlesbrough XI to play Sheffield United on tonight

Middlesbrough have a huge game coming up, as they take on Sheffield United in what will be a massive play-off clash in the Championship.

Both sides are desperate to try and steal a top six spot and they’re both in a good position to do so. However, a win either way in midweek could tip the scales in favour of one of these outfits and drastically hinder the chances of the other.

Chris Wilder is familiar with being in this kind of position though and has the talent available to him to see off his former club in this fixture. He has taken Boro from a side that were on the outside looking in to a team that most definitely has play-off credentials right now.

After a superb 2-1 win over another top six challenging team in Luton at the weekend, how could Chris Wilder approach this one?

After such a superb win over Luton at the weekend, Chris Wilder will likely stick with much of the same team that pulled off that victory.

Perhaps the only change that will come in this Boro side could be in attack, with goalscorer Duncan Watmore coming in for Aaron Connolly. Either striker could make way for the forward, with Folarin Balogun also failing to really test the Hatters keeper last time out. However, with Connolly losing the most duels on the field in that clash, it could be him that makes way.

In the middle of the field, it could be the same five-man midfield that won that Luton game. Jonny Howson continues to impress and managed more tackles than anyone last time around and Isaiah Jones on the wing continues to look exciting and creative. Their midfield has been their strongest asset recently and it could be more of the same against the Blades.

At the back, that could also stay the same. Paddy McNair has continued to flourish for