Middlesbrough will want to capitalise on their 2-1 win against Stoke City last time out by clinching another home victory versus Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day.

The Terriers will go into the match with some confidence of their own after a 2-1 win against promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest so Boro will need to be at their best to get the three points on Thursday afternoon.

Manager Jonathan Woodgate could have Britt Assombalonga back in contention following an ankle injury, but Ryan Shotton (knee), George Friend (groin), Darren Randolph (thigh) and Anfernee Dijksteel (knee) all still sidelined.

Paddy McNair and Marcus Browne remain suspended after their red cards against Swansea City earlier this month.

Middlesbrough’s Predicted XI To Face Huddersfield:

Pears, Spence, Howson, Ayala, Fry, Coulson, Wing, Saville, Tavernier, Assombalonga, Fletcher

The Terriers could have Fraizer Campbell (hip), Lewis O’Brien (calf) and Alex Pritchard (knee) back available, but five players: Terence Kongolo, Isaac Mbenza, Adama Diakhaby, Herbert Bockhorn and Reece Brown will not feature.

Huddersfield’s Predicted XI:

Grabara, Simpson, Schindler, Stankovic, Hadergjonaj, Kachunga, Hogg, Chalobah, Bacuna, Mounie, Ahearne-Grant

The bookmakers have Boro as the favourites with Sky Bet pricing them at 7/5 to get the win. A draw is 9/4 with Betway while a Huddersfield victory is 23/10 at Coral.

Predicted Score – 2-1 to Middlesbrough