Middlesbrough welcome Watford to the Riverside Stadium in Easter Monday’s blockbuster Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory would life Boro up to eighth for at least five hours, whereas Watford can reduce their deficit to Championship leaders – Norwich to three points with a win.
Team News
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report as Dael Fry and Marcus Tavernier are ruled out with calf injuries, which kept them out of Good Friday’s 3-1 loss at Bournemouth.
Anfernee Dijksteel (ankle) and Marcus Browne (knee) remain absent.
Watford have no fresh injury concerns to report as Tom Cleverley looks to return from a knee injury after not being risked in Friday’s narrow home win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Troy Deeney (Achilles) and Tom Dele-Bashiru (knee) remain ruled out for the Hornets, despite stepping up their recovery programmes.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough are winless in their last eight meetings against Watford (D3, L5).
- Watford have claimed eight points from their last four trips to the Riverside Stadium (W2, D2).
- Boro have scored first in just two of their last six home matches (W3, D1, L2).
- Watford have scored first in four of their last five away games. although they failed to score in their only away defeat during this run (W4, L1).
- Middlesbrough lost their only previous home game refereed by Tim Robinson this season, losing 3-1 to Bristol City in late February.
Prediction
Defensive errors proved Boro’s downfall on top of wasted chances at Bournemouth, which in turns make this game an absolute must-win for the Teessiders who need to tighten up and be more clinical if want to stay in the play-off hunt.
Watford meanwhile were quite dominant in their win against Sheffield Wednesday, yet wasted nine shots off target so will be hoping for a more clinical performance here against a Boro team who simply have to win.
All the pressure in this game therefore will be on Boro because they ideally now need wins in this match and at Barnsley on Saturday to boost their top six hopes, which will suit Watford who can soak up pressure given their comfortable position in second place.
On that note, I think a score draw is the likeliest outcome on Teesside but Boro’s recent home form has been solid, so I am punting on a shock late winner for the hosts although neither team were clinical on Friday with their chances.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Watford
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