Play-Off chasing Middlesbrough visit relegation battling Coventry City at St Andrew’s in Tuesday’s big Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory would see Coventry move nine points clear of the relegation zone, whereas Boro can boost their play-off hopes with a win but will stay ninth with at least a point.
Team News
Leo Ostigard is suspended for this match after being sent off in Saturday’s away draw at Blackburn.
Callum O’Hare and Gustavo Hamer could return to the starting eleven for Coventry after dropping to the bench on Saturday, but Julien Dacosta (stomach) is again a doubt and could join Matty Godden (foot) plus Jodi Jones (knee) on the sidelines.
Middlesbrough could hand Yannick Bolasie a return after the Everton loanee wasn’t risked in Saturday’s draw against Cardiff due to a knock, having just returned to training last week after a hamstring injury.
Ashley Fletcher (hamstring) and Marcus Browne (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Coventry have lost just two of their last seven meetings against Middlesbrough (W2, D3, L2).
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last five away league trips to Coventry (W1, D1, L3), although this is their first visit to the Robins’ new shared ground – St Andrews’.
- Boro are unbeaten in four of their last five trips to St Andrews’ (W3, D1, L1) – with all five of those visits coming against Coventry’s landlords – Birmingham City.
- Four of Tyler Walker’s five league goals for Coventry this season have come at home.
- Six of Boro’s eight away league goals in 2021 have come in the first half.
Prediction
It’s hard to predict which Coventry team will turn up because they have been very inconsistent in recent weeks, yet their home form has been key to keeping clear of the relegation zone so far this season so I do expect a fighting performance with Callum O’Hare and Gustavo Hamer back in the team.
Middlesbrough meanwhile bounced back from a disastrous midweek display last week to snatch a point on Saturday, but if they want to push for the Play-Offs then this is a must-win match against an inferior team in terms of quality.
Add in that they have a shaky away record against the Robins yet have fared well in recent visits to St Andrew’s, you have to wonder what sort of game we could see but I am plumping for a Boro win if they can step up and deliver an important win now their defence has improved on last week’s shambles.
Prediction: Coventry 0-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Coventry 1-2 Middlesbrough