Middlesbrough look to keep their slim automatic promotion dreams alive as they host Watford in a Championship clash.
Victory would lift Boro up to fourth and keep their automatic promotion dreams alive going into the final week of the season, whilst Watford can climb as high as tenth with a win for a few hours.
Team News
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Riley McGree (unspecified) is a doubt but Alex Bangura (muscle), Leo Castledine (unspecified), Hayden Hackney (calf), Alfie Jones (ankle) and Darragh Lenihan (Achilles) are expected to remain ruled out.
Watford have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion, with Pierre Ekwah set to be available following his return from parental leave.
Hector Kyprianou, Steven Mfuni (both ankle) and Rocco Vata (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Watford at Fratton Park on Saturday 25 April at 12:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won three of their last six meetings against Watford (W3, L3).
- Watford have claimed seven points in their last five visits to Middlesbrough (W2, D1, L2).
- Victory would see Watford extend their longest winning run against Boro to four matches.
- Middlesbrough are looking to win consecutive matches for the first time since March.
- Watford are winless in their last five away games (D1, L4).
Prediction
Having beaten Sheffield Wednesday through a lucky early winner in a match in which their end product returned to its recent lacklustre ways, Boro really have to win here and hope that results elsewhere go in their favour across the next few days if they’re to be in the automatic promotion mix on the final day.
Watford meanwhile don’t have anything to play for and given their poor away form in recent weeks, I just don’t see them offering much especially after their lacklustre performance at West Brom, but this is a chance to give the away crowd heading up early one last away cheer.
Middlesbrough however have the stronger motivation and need to win and I just fancy them to nick this but don’t expect a classic.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-0 Watford
Result: Middlesbrough 5-1 Watford
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