Seeking to end the three game winless run in the EFL Championship, Middlesbrough will host Birmingham City this week at Riverside Stadium in the 12th round of the competition. Kickoffs on October 5 at 21:45 EAT.
Middlesbrough started the season in disappointing fashion, recording just 10 points from their opening 11 games and occupying a place in the relegation zone on goal difference. However, despite their recent performances, a positive to take into Wednesday’s game is the home record, where Middlesbrough is undefeated at Riverside Stadium so far this season, winning three matches and drawing in the other three.
Middlesbrough comes into this game after 1-0 Championship defeat to Coventry City in their most recent outing. In that match, Middlesbrough managed 57% possession and six shots with three of them on target. Coventry City got 11 shots with four of them on target and a goal by Viktor Gyökeres (17′).
Meanwhile, Birmingham City saw their campaign begin with consecutive away wins at Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion, before drawing with Coventry City and most recently getting what can be considered a very good point away at league leaders Sheffield United. Coming into this game, Birmingham is unbeaten in four games a run that saw them climb up to 15th place, three points clear of the relegation zone.
Birmingham City held each other to 1-1 Championship draw with Sheffield United in their most recent game. In that match, Birmingham City had 40% possession, eight shots with two of them on target and a goal scored by Troy Deeney (70′). Sheffield United got 13 shots with three of them on target and a goal by Oli McBurnie (64′).
Middlesbrough vs. Birmingham City head to head
Since 1993, these two sides have had 34 head to head encounters; Middlesbrough claims 16 wins, Birmingham City 11 wins while seven matches ended in stalemates.
- Birmingham 0-2 Middlesbrough 15/03/22
- Middlesbrough 0-2 Birmingham 30/10/21
- Middlesbrough 0-1 Birmingham 16/01/21
- Birmingham 1-4 Middlesbrough 19/12/20
- Middlesbrough 1-1 Birmingham 21/01/20
Home
- Coventry 1-0 Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough 0-0 Rotherham
- Middlesbrough 2-3 Cardiff
- Middlesbrough 1-0 Sunderland
- Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough
Away
- Sheffield 1-1 Birmingham
- Birmingham 0-0 Coventry
- West Bromwich 2-3 Birmingham
- Preston 0-1 Birmingham
- Birmingham 1-2 Norwich
Middlesbrough team news
Boss Chris Wilder will be unable to call upon the services of Darragh Lenihan who is recovering from injury.
Birmingham City team news
Manager John Eustace will take to the pitch without the services of Nico Gordon and Harlee Dean who have been ruled out through injuries.
Prediction and odds
- Draw
- Both teams to score
- Goals over 2.5
