Burnley are a team that are simply ‘on it’ at this moment in time. Scott Parker is really starting to get a tune out of his players. A fine 2-0 win at Sheffield United on Sunday extended their unbeaten run to 10. The Turf Moor team won’t necessarily blow opponents away but they know exactly what is needed to get the job done.

This is a group that has lost only twice in league action all season. In addition to Bramall Lane at the weekend, Scott Parker’s side have also faced the likes of Leeds, Norwich, Luton and West Brom away and went home with something to show for their efforts from all 4 of these games.

A cause for concern for Middlesbrough and their manager Michael Carrick is how shaky they’ve become defensively in recent times. Losing 3-1 at Leeds was no disgrace, but they’ve also shipped 3 goals in their last 2 games; 3-3 draws with Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday respectively. They led 3-0 at home to The Owls on Sunday and still failed to win. Boro have won once in 5 and conceded 3 in 3 of those, too.

Although the form guide suggests this should be a one-sided affair, it is just never that simple. For all that Middlesbrough may be a little hesitant right now, some kind of reaction is to be expected. Michael Carrick may look to make his side harder to beat, which may take something away from them offensively but they should tighten up at the back.

Burnley are in top form and winning for fun, but they are not one to necessarily hammer down their authority game-by-game in terms of score. Each of the last 11 league victories for Parker’s side were by a 1 or 2 goal margin. They just do enough to get the job done, and they’d gladly take a repeat at Riverside Stadium.

Also, when 2 strong outfits collide then there is often plenty of respect on show. Tactically, each head coach will take the strengths of the opponent into account. Therefore, a tight first-half could easily materialise.

Expect 2 goals in a match involving 2 of the stronger Championship teams surely is not asking for too much. The presence of Burnley could be off-putting given they’ve only conceded 9 league goals, however the presence of Middlesbrough increases the prospect of goals. The hosts could drag the away side into more of an open contest.

The Clarets have had their league fixtures average 1.70 goals this season, however 6 of their last 7 Championship games have included a minimum of 2 goals. As for Boro, the fact both of their previous 2 games ended 3-3 is all you need to know about their state at present!

Even if they did tighten up here, that is no guarantee of keeping Burnley at bay. Middlesbrough’s Championship clashes have averaged 3.13 goals across the campaign.

Josh Brownhill is one of the form players in the Championship. Scott Parker has mainly utilised him as a central midfielder this season, but in more recent times he has been pushed forward into an attacking midfielder role.

This has proved a somewhat wise move by the coach as the player is currently on a 3-match scoring streak. Further to this, the 29-year-old has netted 4 goals in his last 6 Burnley appearances.

Given Middlesbrough’s recent struggles in keeping the ball out of their own net, a player such as Brownhill must surely be relishing the trip to Teesside.