Middlesbrough will look to build on their sensational win over Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg in midweek with a trip to The Den against the struggling Millwall as Michael Carrick's men look to close the gap on the playoffs.
This season has been quite a strange one for Carrick and his side. The club have been down near the bottom of the Championship, inside the top 10, but now sit down in 12th and with one foot into the EFL Cup final after beating Chelsea during the week.
Hayden Hackney was the hero in that with the game's only goal, and a one-goal advantage should give Boro fans a lot of hope in getting to the EFL Cup final in February, given the torrid form of Chelsea in the Premier League this season.
Carrick's side did almost take second-placed Premier League side Aston Villa all the way to a replay at Villa Park last weekend too, but a late goal from Unai Emery's men knocked Carrick's side out of the FA Cup. Back in the league, Boro lost to Coventry City on New Year's Day after a win over Huddersfield Town. However, with them also only beating Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion during December, they left that month with a terrible record of losses that saw them lose to Rotherham United, Hull City, Leeds United and Ipswich Town.
As for Millwall, it's been one of their worst seasons in recent memory with a loss to Leicester City at home last time out seeing them exit the FA Cup already. The Lions have now lost 10 times and won eight games in the league after a positive December saw them beat Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City in succession. Now, with them also drawing against Huddersfield Town and Stoke City, Joe Edwards' men are on a five-game unbeaten run.