Bolton Wanderers v Middlesbrough OVER the past few years, Middlesbrough have been backed by some huge travelling supports in Lancashire.
Friday evening is no different. A sell-out contingent of 5,100 fans will roar on Boro in their first league visit to Bolton since April 2019.
Unfortunately, recent mass gatherings of Teessiders have usually preceded disappointment in Red Rose country.
Two visits to nearby Blackburn Rovers in 2026 have yielded one defeat and an underwhelming draw in front of a packed out Darwen End at Ewood Park.
Similarly bumper away followings have witnessed a draw and a flurry of losses during Boro's recent excursions to Preston.
Boro are understandably keen to break new ground this time around and not just because victory would move them to the Championship summit, ahead of Saturday's action.
A familiar face for Wanderers followers faces a reunion with his former club on Friday in star Boro loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry, who ripped up League One during a fabulous loan spell there last term - culminating in promotion from to the Championship.
On the impact of the Brighton winger on Teesside, boss Kim Hellberg said: "I don't think there's a roof (ceiling) for him.
"He went through a tough first loan spell at Blackburn until he moved one step to Bolton (then in League One), where he was very good and progressed to this one now (Championship) and it's been very good.
"He works very hard every day, wants to learn and is a good lad.
"He's absolutely doing everything he can every day to become as good as he can be.
"I think he has potential to be as good as he wants to be and how hard he works will determine if he gets there.
"I think he can, absolutely, be one of the best wingers in the game."