A 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Wolves at Molineux put an end to Boro’s seven game unbeaten streak in the Championship in midweek. However, the loss failed to dislodge Middlesbrough from third place in the table. 

Their fixture against Watford will see second face third, with Boro only two points behind the Hornets. 

Even coming off the back of a loss, Middlesbrough are certainly one of the form teams in the division. Only league leaders Derby County have more wins in their last 10 games than Boro.

Their 4-0 victory over Brentford in September remains the joint largest winning margin in the Championship this season (along with five other results).

Furthermore, their seven games without defeat is their best run of form since the start of the 2012/13 season, when they managed eight without losing.

That is not to say that Boro have been without problems this season. They have suffered more losses than any other team in the top seven, whilst also scoring the fewest goals of any team in a play-off position or higher.

Of their seven wins, five have come against teams currently in the bottom half of the league - including victories over Brighton (20th), Birmingham (21st), Fulham (22nd) and Bolton (23rd).

Away from the Championship, Boro easily progressed to the third round of the Capital One Cup with wins over Oldham (3-0) and Preston North End (3-1), before falling short in a penalty shootout against Liverpool. That contest ended 14-13 in favour of the Premier League side after the match finished 2-2 after extra time. 

In the transfer window, manager Aitor Karanka has certainly used his contacts at Chelsea to strengthen his squad with a number of loan moves.

The former assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid has brought in goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, defender Kenneth Omeruo and striker Patrick Bamford from Stamford Bridge this summer.

In addition, Boro signed striker Kike from Real Murcia for an undisclosed fee and midfielder Adam Clayton from Championship rivals Huddersfield Town.

The Spanish striker starting strongly for the club and netted on his debut. He has gone on to score four league goals (five in all competitions) and trails only Grant Leadbitter, who has managed six in the Championship and one in the League Cup.

The last time Boro and Watford met, both teams had a player sent off in a 1-0 Watford win. A Troy Deeney penalty proved to be the winner at Vicarage Road.

In their last five encounters, Middlesbrough have only managed a single win over the Hornets. That was a 2-1 triumph in the 2012/13 campaign.

Boro will be without their leading goal scorer Grant Leadbitter, after he picked up his fifth booking of the season against Wolves and will serve a one game suspension.

However, Karanka will have Adam Clayton available for selection after the midfielder recovered from a head injury sustained against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Middlesbrough starting XI vs Wolves (21/10/14): Konstantopoulos; Fredericks, Ayala, Omeruo, Friend, Adomah, Leadbitter, Whitehead, Reach, Vossen, Bamford.