2019-20 Sky Bet Championship: Week 17 – Sunday

Middlesbrough look to move away from the relegation zone as they take on Hull City at the Riverside Stadium.

Victory will take Middlesbrough out of the relegation zone for the first time in a month, consequently dropping Luton into the bottom three. 

Hull meanwhile can go tenth with a win, although a four goal margin in their favour could send them ninth. 

 

Team news

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George Saville is suspended for Middlesbrough as he serves the second of a three match ban, having been sent off at Derby earlier this month. 

Darren Randolph could start after returning from international duty with no fitness concerns. 

Aynsley Pears (finger) and George Friend (thigh) could also be available but Rudy Gestede and Marcus Browne are out with hamstring injuries. 

Ryan Shotton is also absent with an on-going thigh injury. 

Hull will be without Stephen Kingsley as the defender continues his recovery from a recent calf injury. 

Norbert Balogh (calf), Jon Toral (knee) and Josh Magennis (suspension) are all ruled out.

 

Form

Middlesbrough are winless in their last nine but have drawn three of their last four matches. 

Hull arrive here with three wins from their last five but have kept just two clean sheets in their last five away trips. 

 

Stat Attack

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last four matches against Hull (W3, D1).
• Britt Assombalonga scored for Boro in both meetings last season.
• Boro last went nine or more games without a league win between Boxing Day 2016 and late April 17 (D6, L10).

 

Prediction

This is a must win for Middlesbrough because they need to start finding those wins now, otherwise I do fear that they could be fighting for survival right until the final day of the season if keep drawing here and there. 

Hull meanwhile are doing a solid job but need to start finding more consistency if want to challenge for promotion, meaning that beating teams like Boro will be crucial to their top six hopes. 

I therefore am expecting a decent game given Boro’s recent form against Hull but its Hull who come here in the ascendancy, which I think will provide them with the belief that they can get that win but a draw is the best bet. 

Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Hull City

Result: Middlesbrough 2-2 Hull City