Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

Zack Steffen makes a great double save.

The substitutions have just upset Middlesbrough a little bit by changing positions around.

Norwich would be level but for a great double save from Zack Steffen.

The USA goalkeeper gets a big hand on Sam McCallum's dangerous ball across the box, but it falls into the path of his fellow countryman, Josh Sargent.

He should score but Steffen is there to make a huge block.

Aaron Ramsey is not going to be OK to continue. He goes down immediately as play starts up.

The goalscorer's place will be taken by Alex Mowatt.

Double whammy for Boro as both Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey are on the deck.

It looks like Ramsey is in a slightly worse state than Archer. Ramsey is limping to the side of the pitch but looks like he'll carry on for now.

In Norwich's previous two promotion campaigns, they scored 93 and 75 goals respectively. This season they have only managed 54 in their 41 games so far.

The Canaries have just not had the same clinical edge this campaign.

And they have been rocked on their heels by that early Aaron Ramsey goal. It has completely taken the wind out of their sails.

Some shaky defending at the back there and Andrew Omobamidele is forced into conceding a corner.

Defeat by promoted Burnley on Good Friday was a first home loss in the Championship since October for Middlesbrough.

Being strong at the Riverside has been the bedrock of their climb up the table under Michael Carrick and they are in the ideal position here.

It is a big test from here for Norwich.

Boro's confidence is up after that goal from Aaron Ramsey, his fifth for them.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

30 seconds after a Norwich chance, the ball is in their net.

It's a big play from Chuba Akpom who drives at their defence. Aaron Ramsey stays onside and it's there's a a lovely ball from Akpom in the build-up.

Excellent football from Norwich, with everything but the finish!

Gabriel Sara lifts a clever ball over the Boro defence for Teemu Pukki to lay it off to Josh Sargent, but the American drags it wide of the far post.

A great situation for Norwich as they get the ball to Teemu Pukki in the Boro box.

The Finn twists and turns looking for a shooting chance, but Darragh Lenihan watches him all the way and makes a terrific block.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

The conditions are really tricky. It is so wet out there and the rain is still falling.

Pigbag has got the home crowd going and we're ready and raring to go at a rainy Riverside.

This is not a night for slip-ups of the proverbial or literal kind.

BBC local radio

Unfortunately we cannot bring you live radio commentary of tonight's match on this page.

If you're in the Teesside or Norwich area, however, grab a radio and tune in to your local BBC radio station.

The fine folks at BBC Radio Tees and BBC Radio Norfolk are on hand to take you through all the action.

And remember, you can still keep across the game following these very text updates.

Norwich City are unchanged for their trip to Teesside following their draw against Rotherham four days ago.

However, options are limited for manager David Wagner with regulars Grant Hanley, Ben Gibson and Kenny McLean all ruled out through injury.

Norwich: Gunn; Aarons, Omobamidele, Sorensen, McCallum; Sara, Gibbs; Marquinhos, Sargent, Hernandez; Pukki.

Subs: McGovern (GK), Byram, Hayden, Idah, Nunez, Rowe, Giannoulis.

Michael Carrick makes only one change to his Middlesbrough team from the side that started the 2-2 draw at Easter Monday but it is a big one.

Matt Crooks, who scored the equaliser at Ashton Gate, has to settle for a place on the bench as Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer takes his place.

Middlesbrough: Steffen; Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Giles; Hackney, Howson; Forss, Akpom, A Ramsey; Archer.

Subs: Roberts (GK), Jones, Mowatt, Barlaser, Dijksteel, Crooks, Bola

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough begin this match eight points adrift of second-placed Sheffield United, having played a game more.

They must win all five of their games and hope for a Devon Loch style finish (see the 1956 Grand National) from the Blades, and a bad run from Luton in third, if they are to have any chance of going up automatically with Burnley.

The trouble is that Michael Carrick's side have lost form at the wrong time. It is five points from five games and even if they don't go up in second, they need points to secure a top-six spot and to carry momentum with them into the play-offs.

Norwich are also desperate for the points. Winners of this division in both 2019 and 2021, the Canaries have largely disappointed this campaign, but they still have a chance.

The trouble for them is that their form is not too clever, either. It is one win in six for David Wagner's side and only three goals scored.

If that doesn't improve, they can forget about finishing in the top six.

Image source, Getty Images

Tonight's teams come into the game at the Riverside having drawn in their most recent Championship fixture.

Middlesbrough fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at Bristol City on Easter Monday, further denting their slim hopes of automatic promotion.

Meanwhile, Norwich played out a goalless draw with a resurgent Rotherham at Carrow Road earlier that day.

Both sides could give their play-off aspirations a boost with victory this evening.

Here's how things look at the top of the Championship table headed into tonight's fixture.

Middlesbrough lost ground on Luton Town over the course of the Easter weekend but can move above them tonight with victory.

Meanwhile, the battle for the play-offs will certainly look a bit more interesting if Norwich take home three points.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Five games. 15 points. 24 days. A whole heap of twists and turns.

Welcome to the official start of the business end of the season! Easter is over and the countdown is well and truly on towards the conclusion of the EFL.

With each game, the stakes get higher and we've got a belter to start this weekend of Championship football.

Middlesbrough, still with slim hopes of automatic promotion, entertain Norwich, who would move into the play-off spots with either a win or a draw.

Strap yourself for some rainy Friday night football at the Riverside, where there is no margin for error.