On Saturday afternoon, Middlesbrough will go up against Bristol City to see who will stay in the Championship play-off positions with kickoff at 6 pm.
Although Boro currently occupies the sixth spot in the standings, their relegation rivals, Bristol City, are currently in 17th place after losing nearly half of their league fixtures.
You might expect Middlesbrough to be well-placed inside the Championship’s playoff places, given their record of eight wins from their last 11 league matches.
But they only have a two-point cushion, and it highlights how much work manager Chris Wilder is doing at the Riverside Stadium. Hopefully, it will yield yet another promotion for Boro. They beat Derby County 4-1 in the league for the first time since April.
Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Aaron Connolly scored in Middlesbrough FC’s latest home victory, which took the club to 32 points from 16 matches at the Riverside Stadium.
Bristol City won their last six home matches in the Championship, which was extended when they beat Swansea City 3-2 last week.
Middlesbrough will not underestimate opponents who continue to perform inconsistently. This season, the Robins are without back-to-back league wins, a run that was extended when they gave up a half-time lead at Swansea City last weekend.
Bristol City vs Middlesbrough Head to Head
Both sides have 22 games against each other, with hosts taking 10 wins while visitors with 7 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Swansea 3-1 Bristol
- Bristol 2-1 Reading
- Blackpool 3-1 Bristol
- Preston North End 2-2 Bristol
- Luton Town 2-1 Bristol
Away
- Middlesbrough 4-1 Derby County
- QPR 2-2 Middlesbrough
- Man United 1-1 Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough 1-0 Coventry
- Blackburn 1-0 Middlesbrough
Bristol City Team News
Middlesbrough midfielder Matt Crooks is being assessed after sustaining a head injury from which he had to withdraw during his club’s game against Derby County. Riley McGree could be drafted as a replacement for the injured player, while manager Wilder has decisions to make over his forward line.
Middlesbrough Team News
David Bentley may start in goal over Bristol City’s first-choice goalkeeper Max O’Leary, who was withdrawn during the second half of the last game with an injury.
Prediction and Odds
Though Bristol City has improved at Ashton Gate as the season has progressed, this match may be about how Middlesbrough performs away from home.
- Middlesbrough Win
- Goals Over 1.5
- Both Teams to Score
