QPR face a difficult afternoon as they prepare to travel north to take on Middlesbrough.
The Teessiders have been tipped by many to make an immediate return to the top flight after being relegated from the Premier League last term.
But what can the Hoops expect from the recently-relegated side? We caught up with the Teesside Evening Gazette’s Jonathon Taylor to get the low-down on the opposition.
What to expect from Middlesbrough?
"It's been a good week for Boro since the international break - so QPR will come up against a side growing in confidence and belief.
"Boro put in their best attacking performance of the season at Bolton last Saturday - showing a real clinical edge, as Garry Monk found a system that fitted his players down to the ground.
"While Boro didn't win at Aston Villa on Tuesday, they held their own against one of the pre-season favourites despite playing 60 minutes with a man less, and it's now five clean sheets from seven for the back-line this season.
"So there's been signs that the pieces are fitting together at the Riverside, and while there's still some improvement still to go, Boro are starting to look every-inch promotion contenders."
Overview of transfer business
"It was a busy summer on Teesside, as promised, and chairman Steve Gibson backed new boss Garry Monk to the hilt with ten new signings.
"Unlike Boro's approach heading into the Premier League in 2016/17, this summer the club have gone for tried & tested, domestic-based experienced players who know all about the Championship.
"That's been a breath of fresh air, and it's no surprise that the likes of Cyrus Christie and Britt Assombalonga, experienced players in this division, have hit the ground running.
"Boro arguably look stronger pound-for-pound this season than they did in the top-flight, and Monk has real options at his disposal.
The fact Daniel Ayala - one of the division's best centre-halves - and Adam Forshaw - a player last season linked with an England call-up - haven't made the last two matchday squads says it all.
Investment was promised, and investment was most certainly delivered.
Results so far this season
"As often happens with a side relegated from the Premier League, and especially one with a new manager at the helm, it took a bit of time for Boro to find their feet.
"Monk signed 10 new players, brought in a new coaching team and has been trying to change the club's philosophy after a galling campaign last time out.
"Away defeats to Wolves and Nottingham Forest were a setback, as well as a frustrating home draw with Preston - but on the whole, Boro have been an improving since day one.
"It all came together for them at Bolton on Saturday - the winning cocktail of a water-tight defence and a clinical front-line - but circumstances dictated the game at Villa Park on Tuesday.
"But overall, I'd say Boro will be fairly content with their start - and confident of kicking on over the coming weeks".
Key players
"One at either end. Britt Assombalonga is Boro's main goal threat, and has already shown just how lethal he can be in this division.
"He's scored four goals in seven matches so far - and could have had double that tally, in all honesty. But it's not just his goalscoring that's caught the eye. It's his movement, his appetite and his work-rate that have been priceless commodities for Boro.
"So he'll be crucial against a QPR team that will surely set up to frustrate, while at the other end, goalkeeper Darren Randolph has been a revelation between the posts since his move from West Ham."
Formation/system?
Monk started with a 4-3-3 which looked like it was going to last the duration, but too often in games Boro's midfield looked a tad muddled.
They got overpowered at Wolves and Forest in that engine room, but since Monk went to a 4-2-3-1, the team have looked stronger and more comfortable in their own skin.
Quite whether Adama Traore's suspension will change Monk's thinking remains to be seen, but with Patrick Bamford and Marvin Johnson waiting in the wings, you wouldn't think the Boro boss would change too much for the visit of QPR.
The full-backs play high up the pitch, and that leaves Adam Clayton with the crucial role of plugging the gaps, while receiving the ball deep and getting Boro moving forward.
Team selection
Traore's red card at Villa Park leaves Monk with an intriguing dilemma as to who'll replace him on the wing.
It sounds like Martin Braithwaite, another summer recruit, is closing in on a return but probably won't make the QPR game, which means it's probably Bamford, Johnson or Ashley Fletcher vying for that starting spot.
Aside from that, Monk may recall George Friend and Jonny Howson if he feels the need to freshen things up, given Boro had to do a lot of physical exertion with 10 men on Tuesday.
But I can't imagine there'll be too many changes, especially given there's an opportunity to rotate in the Carabao Cup game just three days later.
A predicted starting 11 and any notable team news
Predicted XI: Randolph; Christie, Fry, Gibson, Fabio; Clayton, Leadbitter; Bamford, Baker, Johnson; Assombalonga.
Injured: Braithwaite.
Suspended: Traore
Prediction:
It's hard to look beyond Boro given the attacking options in Monk's ranks, but Preston proved that if an opposition defends well and shows courage on the counter attack, it's possible to leave the Riverside with something. But I'll go for a 2-0 routine home victory.
