Middlesbrough welcome Huddersfield to the Riverside Stadium in a crunch Easter Monday showdown in the race for Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs.
Victory will see Middlesbrough climb to sixth until Sheffield United play at teatime, whereas Huddersfield can reduce their deficit to second-placed Bournemouth down to a single point with a win.
Team News
Matt Crooks is suspended for Middlesbrough as he starts a three match suspension, following his 15th yellow card of the season in Friday’s goalless draw at Bournemouth.
Dael Fry (calf) could return if he is declared match fit but Martin Payero (ankle), Sammy Ameobi and Darnell Fisher (both knee) remain ruled out.
Huddersfield could be without Danny Ward after he was substituted at half-time with an unspecified injury in Friday’s 2-2 draw against QPR.
Tino Anjorin (knock), Alex Vallejo, Rolando Aarons, Matty Pearson (all knee) and Ryan Schofield (shoulder) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 meetings against Huddersfield (W7, D3, L1).
- Huddersfield are winless in their last nine visits to Middlesbrough in all competitions (D1, L8).
- Middlesbrough’s Duncan Watmore has scored three goals in his last two appearances against Huddersfield (W2).
- Boro are looking to avoid going four consecutive league matches without scoring for the first time since October – November 2019.
- Carlos Corban’s Terriers have lost just two of 12 away matches in which they scored first this season (W7, D3, L2).
Prediction
Having scraped a goalless draw at Bournemouth on Good Friday, Middlesbrough are lucky that their nearest play-off rivals also stuttered but this is now a huge must-win match if they’re to put their play-off destiny into their own hands with one extra game still to play.
Chris Wilder though will be pleased with Boro’s defensive efforts on the South Coast because despite getting outclassed in attack, Bournemouth were only limited to two shots on target due to excellent defending but more attacking will be required here against a stubborn Huddersfield team.
Huddersfield meanwhile know that this is also a must-win for themselves as they chase automatic promotion, especially after twice blowing their lead against QPR on Friday in a game where they were clinical despite enduring immense pressure from the Hoops who got lucky twice.
If both teams therefore bring their best defensive and attacking game respectively, I can see the first goal being crucial here because Huddersfield probably need to score first given their poor form on Teesside otherwise I can see a home win if Boro hit the front.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Huddersfield
Result: Middlesbrough 0-2 Huddersfield
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