Boro manager Gordon Strachan has suggested he may have to call on some of the club's youngsters because of the Teessiders' injury woes.
Gary O'Neil, Rhys Williams and Andrew Taylor are among those struggling to be fit in time for Monday's game.
MATCH PREVIEW
Having looked destined for League One a few weeks ago, three wins from their last six matches - the most recent being Saturday's triumph at Doncaster - have given Plymouth a fighting chance of staying up.
But two of those wins have been away. Plymouth have only won one of their last seven at home and no Championship club has won fewer home matches this season than the five mustered by Argyle.
They badly need to improve that record if they are to avoid the drop. Fortunately for them, Middlesbrough's away form is unimpressive. Only promotion chasers Cardiff and West Brom have scored more away goals this season than Boro, but they have won only one of their last 10 on the road.
They will be out to avenge their defeat at home to the Pilgrims in October, in what was Gordon Strachan's first match as Boro boss. Jamie Mackie's winner at the Riverside Stadium means Plymouth have the chance to complete a league double over Middlesbrough for the first time in 45 years.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Middlesbrough have not lost in six league visits to Plymouth (W3, D3).
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• Argyle last registered a home league victory over the Teesside club when they beat them 1-0 in October 1964.
Plymouth
• Plymouth have dropped 39 points at home this season and scored only 19 goals in 20 home games.
• Victory would give Plymouth their second league double of the season. They completed their first by winning at Doncaster on Saturday.
• Jamie Mackie is hoping to make his 100th appearance for Argyle.
Middlesbrough
• Boro are unbeaten in six matches - but have drawn five of them.
• They have won 14 and lost 14 of their 41 league matches this season, and have used a whopping 38 players.
• Gary O'Neil is hoping to make his 100th appearance for the club.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Middlesbrough 0-1 Plymouth (31 October 2009)
Plymouth scorer: Mackie 64.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport