Martin O'Neill is expecting another strong Middlesbrough performance when Sunderland head to the Riverside Stadium to renew acquaintances with their near neighbours.
The two sides clash again on Teesside in the FA Cup with Budweiser following a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light last month.
A goal from Fraizer Campbell broke Boro's resistance to earn a replay last time around following a tough game and O'Neill is expecting more of the same from the Championship side on Wednesday.
"I thought Middlesbrough played very well against us in the first game, and that didn't come as any surprise to myself or the players," he explained.
"We know the game will be difficult; Middlesbrough have aspirations of returning to the Premier League.
"They are well enough positioned now in the Championship and the situation is very much the same as 10 days ago."
Meanwhile the Sunderland boss is to play his strongest side as the teams battle for the right to face Arsenal in the Fifth Round next week.
And O'Neill is expecting his XI to undergo a stern examination at the hands of a Boro side who he says will still pose a big threat despite recent injury problems.
"We will go there as strong as we possibly can; obviously the FA Cup is a very important competition for the football club and its supporters," he said.
"I know Middlesbrough have had some injury problems but that was the case before they played us in the first game and it didn't affect them at all.
"They played very, very well against us at the Stadium of Light and I expect exactly the same again."
