Middlesbrough host Sunderland in a huge Tees-Wear derby in the Championship’s promotion race.
Victory or a draw will lift Boro up to fifth position in the table, whilst Sunderland will stay fourth regardless of the result but a win will move them level with third-placed Burnley and three points off the top two.
Team News
Tommy Conway could return for Middlesbrough after a month out with a hamstring injury.
Morgan Whittaker could make his Boro debut after joining from Plymouth ahead of last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Preston, where he was ineligible to feature after he wasn’t registered in time for the squad.
Sol Brynn (shoulder), Seny Dieng, Jonny Howson, Riley McGree (all knock), Alex Bangura (Achilles), Darragh Lenihan (fitness/Achilles) and Tommy Smith (Achilles) are still sidelined.
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-2 draw at home to Plymouth last weekend.
Ahmed Abdullahi (groin), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Alan Browne (leg), Tommy Watson (knee/ankle), Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins (all knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Sunderland at Riverside Stadium on Monday 3 February at 8pm GMT, live on ITV4 and Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have lost two of their last six Tees-Wear derbies against Sunderland (W2, D2, L2).
- Sunderland are winless in their last six league visits to Boro (D3, L3).
- Middlesbrough have kept clean sheets in four of their last five home games against Sunderland in all competitions.
- Boro have kept just two clean sheets in their first five league matches of 2025 (W2, D1, L2).
- Wilson Isidor has been involved in more goals than any other Sunderland player this season, having produced nine goals in 26 league matches despite making no assists.
Prediction
Although inconsistency has crept into Middlesbrough with 14 dropped points in their last eight league matches and defensive mistakes being made, they have still been strong at home but this will be a tricky test of their quality without Emmanuel Latte Lath unless Whittaker adapts quickly and can link up well with Marcus Forss.
Sunderland meanwhile missed a huge opportunity to get right into the automatic promotion mix after conceding a late goal against Plymouth, particularly given that it’s a game that they ought of won on form and after coming from behind to lead so they have their own improvements to make.
I however do feel that Sunderland’s attack is stronger placed coming into this game but if Boro dig in and cut out their errors, this could end in a point apiece when the Black Cats really need a win after other results this weekend.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Sunderland
Result: Middlesbrough 2-3 Sunderland
Leave a Reply