Middlesbrough welcome Burnley to Riverside Stadium in a top of Championship table clash in the race for promotion.
Victory would see Middlesbrough stay third in the table, whilst Burnley can seal promotion with a win if Luton lose against Millwall in the Good Friday lunchtime kick-off.
Team News
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report after last weekend’s shock loss at Huddersfield.
Sonny Finch (unspecified) and Matt Clarke (back) remain absent.
Burnley could welcome Lyle Foster back into contention after he missed their goalless draw against Sunderland, due to personal issues upon returning from international duty.
Jay Rodriguez remains absent as he continues to rebuild his match fitness after various niggles kept him sidelined in recent weeks.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Burnley at the Riverside Stadium in a 8pm BST kick-off on Good Friday 7 April, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last five league meetings against Burnley (W1, D2, L2).
- Burnley have claimed just four points from their last five league visits to Middlesbrough (W1, D1, L3).
- Boro have kept clean sheets in each of their last three league games at home to Burnley (W2, D1).
- Chuba Akpom has scored nine goals in Boro’s last six home matches (W5, D1).
- Burnley haven’t been held to two consecutive goalless draws since January-February 2022, when they held Arsenal and Watford in last season’s Premier League.
Prediction
Having suffered a shock defensive implosion in the second-half of their eventual defeat Huddersfield, Middlesbrough now must reset because they again face a tough defence to break down and a win could be imperative if they’re to stay firmly in the race for automatic promotion.
Burnley meanwhile weren’t at their high level in terms of end product against Sunderland so I would like them to deliver a tidier performance, although their defence were lucky to keep a clean sheet after the offside flag came to their rescue so there has be a huge improvement here.
Boro though are yet to lose at home in the league under Michael Carrick so I do expect the hosts to be right up for this clash, although they probably must score first because I otherwise can’t see them getting a win but a draw might be possible.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Burnley
Result: Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley
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