Middlesbrough host Watford at Riverside Stadium in a huge clash in the race for the Championship Play-Offs.
Victory will lift Boro up to third in the table and 12 points behind second-placed Sheffield United, whilst Watford can stay third with a win but move ten points behind the Blades.
Team News
Dael Fry is suspended for Middlesbrough after their appeal against his red card at Sunderland proved unsuccessful.
Darragh Lenihan (foot), Anfernee Dijksteel (knee) and Matthew Clarke (back) remain absent.
Watford could welcome Keinan Davis back into contention after he missed their last three matches due to a hamstring injury and illness.
Henrique Araujo could make his debut after joining in midweek.
Imran Louza, Joao Pedro (both ankle), Dan Gosling, Tom Cleverley (both Achilles), Christian Kabasele and Rey Manaj (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Watford at Riverside Stadium on Saturday 28 January in a 3pm GMT kick-off, albeit untelevised in UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough are winless in their last ten meetings against Watford (D4, L6).
- Watford have claimed nine out of a possible 15 points from their last five visits to Middlesbrough (W2, D3).
- Both teams have scored in four of their last five meetings at Riverside Stadium, except for a 1-0 away win for Watford in October 2016.
- Marcus Forss has scored in each of Middlesbrough’s last two Championship matches at home.
- Mario Gaspar has been yellow carded in each of Watford’s last two matches.
Prediction
Despite having suffered only their third defeat in all competitions since November, Middlesbrough can take heart from the fact that they haven’t lost a league game at home under Michael Carrick but now need to reset after suffering a difficult Tees-Wear defeat despite mounting a strong fight.
Watford meanwhile are in sold form with two wins in their last three games, yet can often be wasteful despite their strong attacking dominance whilst their defence need to be tighter after conceding a sloppy opening goal to Rotherham last weekend.
This clash though is one of many crucial games in the play-off race so there isn’t room for any complacency but Watford do seem to have some form on Teesside, which will worry Boro but I can see their home form under Carrick pulling them through to at least one point.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Watford
Result: Middlesbrough 2-0 Watford
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