Middlesbrough welcome Bristol City to the Riverside Stadium for an epic six pointer showdown in Sky Bet Championship play-off race.
Currently one point outside of the play-offs and tied on goal difference, games don’t get bigger than this as defeat here for either side could prove costly come May.
Team news
Middlesbrough could be without Lewis Wing as the midfielder faces a late fitness test on his groin injury.
Ryan Shotton is also a doubt with a knee injury but is expected to be available.
Bristol City have no fresh injury concerns with Callum O’Dowda back training after a knee injury. The Irishman however is expected not to be risked here.
Goalkeepers, Niki Maenpaa (calf) and Frank Fielding (hand) are long-term absentees for the Robins.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won just two of their last seven games against Bristol City (W2, L5).
- Three of Boro’s last four goals in this fixture have come in the first half.
- Bristol City have scored in their last nine away league games, losing just one match in that run.
Prediction
Middlesbrough were unlucky not to get a point on Saturday against Norwich so need to be clinical here against a strong Robins side.
I therefore can see a scrappy yet physical game because defeat would deeply damage one side’s play-off hopes.
My head is saying a draw here but I have a feeling that Bristol City will be too strong for an under-performing Boro defence.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Bristol City
Result: Middlesbrough 0-1 Bristol City
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