While Middlesbrough await the arrival of potential new head coach Kim Hellberg, interim boss Adi Viveash will look for a second successive win as they make the trip down to Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
Despite the drama of former boss Rob Edwards' move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Boro took victory last time out to see them within the top two.
Now they face an Oxford side lingering dangerously close to the relegation line and desperate not to concede a third straight loss.
Oxford United have failed to win any of their last 10 league games against Middlesbrough (D2 L8), losing the last five in a row.