Middlesbrough and Wolves are having contrasting season in the Sky Bet Championship.

Aitor Karanka's side are second in the table, only behind leaders Hull on goal difference.

They also have a one point and two game cushion over third place Burnley, who closed in after they beat league leaders Hull.

However, 'Boro have only one twice in the league since the turn of the year, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Wolves, on the other hand, are not living up their expectations.

Kenny Jackett's men were expected to be in with an extremely good shot of a play-off place this term, but have slipped to 11th with 40 points.

They are ten points off their pre-season target. Whilst there is still plenty of time to go in the season, the Molineux faithful will need to hope their team start upping the anti soon.

Here, FLW writer Ryan Evans gives his opinion on the best XI of the two sides combined......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE BEST COMBINED XI!

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GK: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos (Middlesbrough)

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The 37-year old may have been thought by many to be past it before this season got underway, but now he is widely regarded as the best in the league.

Playing every minute of 'Boro's campaign thus far, the one-time Greek international has been a major part of Middlesbrough's incredible defensive record. They’ve conceded just 14 goals in their 27 league games - about one every three hours.

Konstantopoulous is certainly enjoying his time on Teesside this season, and his excellent reflex abilities are just one of the reasons he gets the number one jersey in my combined XI.

RB: Nsue (Middlesbrough)

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The 26-year old is so versatile it is hard to know exactly where to place him in the side.

The Spanish-born player has played most of his games this season at right-back, although he has also featured at right-midfield, and has been used as a striker by previous clubs.

After a slow start he has come right to form of late, playing in each of the last ten matches and scored the winner for his side in their crucial promotion clash with Burnley in December.

Not afraid to go forward, the Equatorial Guinea international has given telling contributions at either end of the pitch.

CB: Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough)

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The former Liverpool man has been in inspired form this season, playing in all but one game of 'Boro's campaign. He has scored three times, and won man of the match on three occasions too.

At just 25 years old, it would not be surprising to see a well established Premier League side enquiring in the man from Spain. With no significant weakness, his all round game can again by a significant reason attributed with Karanka's side doing so well defensively this season.

Even during Middlesbrough's tough spell in January, Ayala has been a shining light in their side, winning his side the game in a 1-0 victory over Brentford and with some impressive performances elsewhere.

He has quickly made himself a key man in the Middlesbrough XI, and if they were to get promoted this season, part of the credit definitely deserves to fall to him.

CB: Danny Batth (Wolves)

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The big central defender has been an important player in this Wolves side, and definitely deserves to be in a top-half Championship side. He has 124 appearances for the Midlands side, and has had loan spells at both Sheffield clubs and Colchester United too.

With three man of the match awards from his 22 games so far, the 25-year old definitely deserves his place in this side and his aerial ability leaves us to ask the question: where would Wolves be without him?

If Wolves were to make a late dash for the play-offs, Batth is going to be a key man for them.

LB: George Friend (Middlesbrough)

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Friend's performances so far this season have deservedly earnt him a place in this side. Hailed by many as the best left-back in the league, it wouldn't be hard to see Friend playing an important role in Middlesbrough getting promoted this season and staying in the Premier League next.

Starting his career in Devon, Friend made 39 appearances for Exeter, and had a couple of loan spells around the South West. He moved to Wolves, before being snapped up by Middlesbrough in 2012 after spending time at Doncaster.

Friend, like Ayala, has played in 26 of 'Boro's matches and won man of the match three times, with a goal and assist trophies of a superb season.

At 28 years old, how far could Friend go with this side?

RM: James Henry (Wolves)

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James Henry has been a key player for Wolves this season, scoring seven at setting up four goals in a season where his side has not given him much support. Operating mainly out of the right hand side of midfield, he has played across the pitch on multiple occasions.

He has scored two in his last two, including the second against Bolton on Tuesday.

Since Wolves were dealt a massive blow by losing star man Benik Afobe to Bournemouth, Henry has really stepped up as their main scorer and provider of goals.

Kenny Jackett will be hoping that his impressive form continues, because that's probably their best hope of clambering up the league table.

CM: Adam Clayton (Middlesbrough)

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For a 27-year-old, Clayton has a lot of experience.

He started his career for Manchester City, going on loan to Carlisle and Leeds, before signing permanently for the latter. There, he made 45 appearances in his two seasons, whilst also having loan spells at Peterborough and MK Dons. He moved to Huddersfield in 2012, making 85 appearances, and was signed up by Middlesbrough in 2014.

He has started every single game of the season so far, missing out on just 33 minutes of football. His ability to anchor the midfield has aided the defence in their impressive record, and his passing, dribbling and tackling ability make him probably the most all-round skillful player in this division.

Clayton is a valuable asset that Aitor Karanka will hope to keep for many seasons to come.

 

CM: Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough)

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After experiencing Premier League football at Sunderland, Leadbitter is going around getting back to the top flight in the right way.

Probably a better passer than Clayton, although second best when it comes to tackling, the former England Under 21 international has two goals and an assist this season.

He has played over 2000 minutes for Karanka's side this term, and has earnt his place in this team from his all-round play, but primarily his ability to pick a pass.

LM: Jordan Graham (Wolves)

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The 20-year-old didn't have a great start to the season, whilst on loan in League Two at Oxford he made just five appearances. However, since December he has been in sparkling form for Kenny Jackett.

He had five assists and a goal throughout a highly impressive December, and was in a good place to continue that impressive form.

Unfortunately for everyone involved at Wolves, he was ruled out for the rest of the season, and up to 12 months, after tearing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

He deserves his place in this combined XI, and it is a shame from a neutral point of view that we won't be able to see him play for such a long term.

ST: Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough)

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Although he has made the vast majority of his appearances from right midfield, he has operated for previous clubs as a striker, showing just how valuable he is. Stuani signed for 'Boro last summer for a fee around €3 million.

The Uruguayan has 26 caps, and has scored 10 goals in all competitions for his club.

Stuani will be relieved with the arrival of Jordan Rhodes, whom with he should be able to link up to and improve Middlesbrough’s goal scoring record.

ST: Jordan Rhodes (Middlesbrough)

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In the absence of a central striker, the deadline day signing of Jordan Rhodes could just be the most important signing of Karanka's season.

He has ten goals in his 25 Championship appearances so far, although that was for a Blackburn side lingering in 18th place. In fact, he has scored over 41% of Rovers' goals this season.

His ability to find the net will provide invaluable to a 'Boro side that have just the aforementioned Stuani, plus David Nugent, able to play up front.

Can Rhodes transfer his goalscoring form to the North East this season? If he does, there is a good chance we will see them playing in the top flight of English football next season.

Middlesbrough and Wolves fans... do you agree? Is there any players that you think deserve a place in this side that haven't got in? Let us know in the comments below!