All was well at the Riverside on Tuesday night as Middlesbrough recorded their third victory in a row with 3-1 home win over Brentford. Just a week after handing in an unforeseen transfer request, chirpy winger Albert Adomah scored his first goal since last season’s play-off semi-final in May before emitting a huge hug of gratitude towards his manager Aitor Karanka, who had earlier expressed their were “no issues” between them. There were also two goals for new signing Christian Stuani, who notched his goal tally up to five for the season following his arrival from Espanyol this summer, as Boro moved up to second in the table after seven games. But after two games in the space of four days Karanka’s side will take to the field again, this time away from home, in Sky Sports ’ lunch time kick-off when they take on a Nottingham Forest side who have also won their last two games.

Team News

Centre back Ben Gibson could return for Boro after missing the mid-week victory over Benetford with a hamstring injury. Adomah could make his first start since handing in a much talked about transfer request, however he will face competition from the likes of Christian Stuani who started on the right in mi-week and scored two goals.

After winning 1-0 away at Birmingham on Tuesday, Forrest could give a debut to new loan signing Jonathan Williams who signed from Crystal Palace last week. Ryan Mendes, David Vaughan and striker Chris O’Grady were all rested in mid-week so could return, manager Dougie Freedman will have to decide whether forward Dexter Blackstock should keep his place after scoring the winner last time out.

Facts and Stats

Boro haven’t won at the City ground since their relegation from the Premier League back in 2009, since then they have played there six times in the league and haven’t taken three point in any of the meetings, which include four defeats and three draws.

“Boro’s Cristhian Stuani has the best minutes-to-goal ratio of any player with three or more goals, scoring a goal every 81 minutes”. ( BBC Sport)

“Only Reading (86) have had more shots than Forest this season (84), excluding blocked efforts”. ( BBC Sport)

Key Players

Daniel Ayala

Over the past year Daniel Ayala has become one of, if not the best, centre back in the division. Commanding in the air, good on the ball and he even adds the occasional goal as well. Last season Boro conceded the least amount of goals in the league and that is the same story after seven games this campaign. Away from home, against an in form Forest side, it will be important for Boro to remain resolute at the back meaning Ayala will have to play a key role in this fixture.

Henri Lansbury

Forest lost talismanic winger Michael Antonio to West Ham this summer, but since then they have won two games out of two and according to Nottingham post “Forest look stronger and less one-dimensional without him”. One reason for that is midfielder Henri Lansbury, who has become an integral member of the squad over the past three seasons. Lansbury is naturally good on the ball and will have to be on his game to compete with the robust duo of Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton in the Boro midfield.

Form

Nottingham Forest

Birmingham City 0-1 W

QPR 1-2 W

Cardiff City 1-2 L

Bolton Wanderers 0-0 D

Charlton Athletic 0-0 D

Middlesbrough

Brentford 3-1 W

MK Dons 2-0 W

Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 W

Burton Albion 1-2 W (Capital One Cup)

Bristol City 0-1 L

Prediction

Nottingham Forest 1 Middlesbrough 1

This is a match between two sides who have kept things tight at the back this season and both come into the game in good form. Boro have started to score goals with the likes of Stuani, Downing and Nugent finding form but I think home advantage will play a part and a tight game could end in a draw.