Promotion chasing Middlesbrough look to bounce back from defeat at the weekend as they take on a Birmingham side currently struggling at the wrong end of the Championship table. Middlesbrough were tipped as title contenders this season, following their relegation from the Premier League, but they are just clinging on to a place in the top six. Defeat at Leeds United at the weekend ended a run of three consecutive victories and leaves them in sixth place on goal difference alone. They are a huge ten points outside the automatic promotion places and need to vastly improve if they want to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt. They have won just one of their last four at home, with defeats against Norwich and Cardiff during that time. Recent League Form – LWWWLD.
The Championship – Riverside, Middlesbrough – Saturday 4th November – 12:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 3 at Ladbrokes |
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Middlesbrough FC
Birmingham CityBirmingham City
Birmingham are struggling against relegation this season, with just a four point lead over bottom-of-the-table Sunderland. A rare victory at home to Nottingham Forest at the weekend saw them score their only goal in five, after a run of four without finding the net. That lifted them out of the bottom three, after a run of three defeats in four had seen them back in the drop zone. Their away form is the worst in the Championship and must improve if they are to retain their place in the second tier of English football. They have picked up just one point from eight games on their travels this season, scoring three goals and conceding seventeen during that time. Recent League Form – WLLDLW.
Head to Head
The head to head record between these sides is level, with twenty-nine wins apiece and twenty-two draws in eighty meetings since 1903. The last three meetings, and four of the last six, have been draws. Middlesbrough have won twenty-two of forty meetings as hosts, and have nine victories from the last eleven. Birmingham have beaten Boro away just once since 1980, with that victory coming in March 2013.
Betting Odds and Predictions
As expected, Middlesbrough are the betting favourites to win this match. Ladbrokes have the home side priced at 7/10, which is a decent price considering the gulf between the sides with regards league position. Birmingham are priced at 9/2, with the draw at odds of 3. Even though the last three meetings have finished level, we believe Middlesbrough will win this match. The hosts must be winning matches like this if they are to stand any chance of gaining promotion, especially with Birmingham’s atrocious away record this term. So, a home win is our prediction.
Both teams have scored in just two of Middlesbrough’s home matches this season, while Birmingham have failed to score in five of their eight on their travels. Therefore, “No” in the Both Teams to Score market, at odds of 4/5, and Middlesbrough to win to nil, at 8/5, both look statistically solid bets.
It is also priced at 7/10 for Middlesbrough to keep a clean sheet here, which again is good value. Middlesbrough have led at half time in two of their last three home matches against Birmingham, and there’s a great chance they are ahead at the break here. Backing the home side to lead at HT is available at odds of 23/20, with Boro HT/FT at 6/4.
Top Betting Tip
Our top betting tip for this match is simply a Middlesbrough victory in the match result market, which is priced at a generous 4/6 with betway.