Top 5: Championship automatic promotion contenders

Middlesbrough (Current Position: 1st)

Striker Jordan Rhodes scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in the 1-1 draw at MK Dons in midweek.

The team who start the final third of the season in first place are Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough. They are one point clear of second placed Hull City and have a game in hand over most teams in the division. The side from the Riverside Stadium have been inside the top six since September and have lost just twice in ten games.

Karanka’s side started the season as favourites and after losing the play-off final during the last campaign, they will be hoping to go one step further this time around. However, Boro’s fortunes have recently changed and they are without a win in four. Should they want to be taken as serious contenders, this will need to change soon.

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