Middlesbrough travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday hoping to claim their first win of the season.

Jonathan Woodgate’s side have been unconvincing so far this season, and their midweek defeat against Crewe in the Carabao Cup summed up what has been a miserable campaign thus far.

Woodgate described Boro’s performance against Crewe as “appalling”, saying after the game that it didn’t give him much to think about in terms of who to play against Blackburn this weekend.

Nevertheless, it will be a tough game for Boro – despite Blackburn being rock bottom of the Championship so far after two games.

Rovers will be without Samuel, Gladwin and Davenport, while Lenihan is also a doubt for the match, but may field former Boro stars Stewart Downing and Danny Graham. Boro on the other hand only have defender Fry on the treatment table, and will likely field a similar XI to those against Luton and Brentford.

Predicted XI

Randolph

Dijksteel, Ayala, Shotton, Coulson

Howson, Wing, McNair

Johnson, Assombalonga, Fletcher

Score prediction: 1-1

Match odds

Blackburn win: 7/5
Draw: 23/10
Middlesbrough: 2/1

With both sides yet to manage a win this season in the league, this game could be a very evenly matched spectacle.