Middlesbrough host Aston Villa in their Championship promotion first-leg match on Saturday. Both clubs go into the fixture having been unable to win on the final day of the regular season. Steve Bruce's Villains lost 1-0 to Millwall away, while Tony Pulis' Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Ipswich.
Aston Villa finished seven points better off than Middlesbrough in the Championship table. However, Bruce's team was winless in its final two matches.
Aston Villa recorded the third most goals scored during the season as the side struck 72 times. Defensively, Aston Villa was just as good as John Terry and company conceded just 42 goals, which was the third fewest in the league.
Veteran manager Bruce has gained promotion four times during his career. While he may have not won trophies as a Premier League manager, Bruce has shown he is a competent Championship tactician who can lead his side to the top-flight. The manager has surrounded himself with experienced veteran players. Terry, Robert Snodgrass, Albert Adomah, Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury are just a few of the names that Bruce has in his ranks.
Middlesbrough won't be afraid of Aston Villa and Pulis has a resume not too different than his coaching rival Bruce. Pulis has gained promotion three times with two different teams. Most recently, Pulis was in charge of Premier League clubs Stoke City, Crystal Palace and West Brom. Like Bruce, he has experience and knowledge on getting teams promoted. Pulis also has veteran players in his ranks.
Stewart Downing may be his most experienced player and a midfielder Pulis can regularly rely on. Downing played 42 times during the Championship season, recording three goals and seven assists. Meanwhile Pulis has a dangerous duo of strikers in Britt Assombalonga and Patrick Bamford. The pair combined for 26 goals during the regular season.
Middlesbrough finished seventh in scoring with 67 goals while conceding the fourth fewest strikes (45) during the term. Neither team has an edge and their fourth and fifth place in the Championship's standings is proof.
Aston Villa did get the upper hand on Middlesbrough during the season. The Villains drew at home before winning 1-0 away at the Riverside. Middlesbrough did defeat Aston Villa in the English League Cup, and Saturday's meeting will be the fourth time the sides have met. There is a caveat to Aston Villa's dominance in the teams' matches in 2017-18. Pulis was only in charge of Middlesbrough for the third game. Although it ended in a loss, Middlesbrough have greatly improved and Adama Traore has become one of the most exciting Championship players since the manager took over.
Saturday's match at the Riverside should see two teams afraid to make mistakes. It will be a tight affair setting up the second-leg. Due to nerves, this fixture will end in a draw and everything will be to play for in the return match.