Middlesbrough meet Coventry at Riverside Stadium in the second leg of their 2022-23 Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final.
With the tie still goalless after a pulsating first leg, victory would see either team advance but another draw would mean extra-time and potentially penalties.
Team News
Marcus Forss could be in contention to start for Middlesbrough after he returned as a substitute in the goalless first leg, during which he came on during the second half after recovering from an ankle injury which had sidelined him in recent weeks.
Aaron Ramsey (ankle) and Jonny Howson (muscle) are doubts despite having travelled with the matchday squad to Coventry last weekend.
Coventry could be without Gustavo Hamer after he suffered a knee injury in the first leg despite completing the match.
Tyler Walker (knock) is a doubt but Kasey Palmer (hamstring), Fabio Tavares (Achilles) and Callum O’Hare (ACL) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Coventry at Riverside Stadium on Wednesday 17 May at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last five meetings against Coventry (W1, D2, L2).
- Coventry are winless in their last 11 league visits to Middlesbrough (D4, L7).
- Boro have scored four goals and conceded just one goal in their last three home matches against Coventry (W2, D1).
- Cameron Archer has scored four goals in three home games for Middlesbrough (W2, D1).
- Coventry have kept two clean sheets in their last six away matches (W2, D4), with clean sheets coming at Swansea and QPR respectively.
Prediction
Having edged a fiercely-fought first leg in terms of enjoying the more accurate shots on target amidst strong spells of possession in front of a thunderous away crowd atmosphere, Middlesbrough should feel that they have this tie in their own hands on home turf now.
Michael Carrick’s Boro though will have to be more clinical than they were if they’re to beat one of the best Championship goalkeepers in Ben Wilson, which I do believe is achievable if they can play the game and not the occasion.
Coventry however must register shots on target if they’re to stand any chance at advancing to the Play-Off Final, having failed to convert any shots onto target at home despite enjoying more shots in total whilst their poor away form on Teesside is a bad omen.
Now if this match is as close as the first leg, extra-time surely has to be on the cards but I just feel that Boro should have enough to snatch a win and set up a mouth-watering Play-Off Final against Luton.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-0 Coventry
Result: Middlesbrough 0-1 Coventry (Coventry win 1-0 on AGGREGATE!!!)
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