'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Middlesbrough lock horns with Bristol City on Saturday in the tenth round of games in the EFL Championship. The two sides are in opposite halves of the points table.
Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough are coming off a 2-1 defeat at Watford in their previous outing a fortnight ago. George Edmundson fired Boro into a 54th-minute lead, but Edo Kayembe and Kwadwo Baah scored in the final quarter for Watford.
The loss leaves Carrick's side in ninth place in the standings, with 14 points from nine games, snapping a two-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, Liam Manning's Bristol are fresh off a 1-1 home draw with Cardiff City just before the international break. Ollie Tanner's 54th-minute opener for Cardiff was canceled out by Luke McNally 19 minutes later as a share of the spoils ensued.
Following the stalemate, the Robins are 16th in the points table, with 11 points, having drawn three straight league games.
On that note, here's a look at the head-to-head and key stats, match prediction, and betting tips for the Middlesbrough-Bristol Championship game at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough vs Bristol City head-to-head and key numbers
- In 89 meetings across competitions, Middlesbrough lead Bristol 35-30, losing their last clash 2-1 at home in the Championship in February this year.
- The Boro are winless in five games with Bristol - all in the Championship - losing three.
- Middlesbrough have won two of their last five home games across competitions, losing once.
- Bristol are winless in four road outings across competitions this season, losing twice.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Middlesbrough: L-W-W-L-D; Bristol: D-D-D-W-L
Middlesbrough vs Bristol City prediction
Both sides aren't in the best of form heading into their weekend clash, but Bristol have fared slightly better - going unbeaten in four games - while Boro have lost twice in the same period.
The Robins narrowly trail Boro in their overall head-to-head but have had Carrick's side's number in recent outings, going unbeaten in five league games - winning three - since a 2-1 away defeat in August 2021.
Middlesbrough have had the highest xG (16.7) and most shots (158) in the Championship this season, but their shot conversion ratio (10/158) is the second poorest in the division.
Considering that and Bristol's recent record against Boro, we expect the visitors to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Bristol City
Middlesbrough vs Bristol City betting tips
Tip-1: Bristol City to win
Tip-2: Bristol to keep a clean sheet: No (The Robins have had just one clean sheet in 10 outings across competitions this season.)
Tip-3: Over 2.5 goals: Yes (Six of their last seven meetings have had at least three goals.)
