A 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic allowed Middlesbrough to capitalise on Bournemouth’s draw with Ipswich, sending them top of the table with six games to go. Patrick Bamford’s 20th-minute strike was sufficient for the victory, returning the club to winning ways with his 15th goal of the season.

Despite Boro returning to the summit of the Championship, the club have endured a rocky patch of form over their last ten matches, first seeing their 12-game unbeaten streak at Riverside halted at the hands of Leeds United, then going on to lose four times in eight; including a heavy 3-0 defeat to fellow promotion-hopefuls Bournemouth in their last away outing. However, important victories against Derby County and Ipswich Town in March will help build confidence going into the last two months of the season, with only Watford, Wolves and Norwich from the top half of the division left to play.

Against the sides in the top eight of the table, Middlesbrough have struggled to pick up wins away from home, with only trips to Brentford and Derby resulting in victories. Instead, four away matches have seen three defeats, with a trip to Norwich still on the cards after facing Watford at Vicarage Road. Instead, it has been their home form driving forward their season, with only one loss against any team in the top half of the division from 11 games (six wins, three draws and one defeat). Boro boast the best home record in the division, collecting 57% of their points at Riverside Stadium, 43, compared to 32 earned on the road.

In addition to their strength at home, the defensive capabilities of Aitor Karanka’s men is plain to see, with only 30 goals conceded all season; the best in the league by an impressive margin of 11. The club average a clean sheet almost every other game (18 from 40) – six of which have come against teams in the play-offs or higher. However, the emphasis on defence comes at a cost of limiting attacking chances, as Boro have the lowest goals total of any team in the top six (60) – 20 fewer than Watford.

Troy Deeney’s second-half equaliser meant that the points were shared when the two teams met back in October, with the striker’s goal cancelling out Kike’s opener in a 1-1 draw in Middlesbrough. Deeney enjoys a healthy scoring record against Boro, netting five in his last six against the league leaders. After 36 competitive meeting between the two sides, both Boro and Watford have won 14 matches, with eight draws also registered.

In team news, Karanka will be without Ryan Fredericks (hamstring) and Daniel Ayala (thigh) for the journey to Hertfordshire. Middlesbrough starting XI vs Wigan Athletic (3/4/15): Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Woodgate, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Leadbitter; Adomah, Bamford, Reach; Vossen. (4-2-3-1).