Middlesbrough vs Coventry predictions: Sky Blues to build on comeback success
- Middlesbrough sit a point off the play-offs but have struggled for consistency
- Coventry claimed their third league win of the season last weekend
- Recommended bet: Coventry or Draw - Double Chance
After recording a dramatic and much-needed comeback success over Luton last time out, Coventry will now be going in search of their first away victory in the Championship this season when they visit Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Sky Blues were staring down the barrel of a third defeat in four Championship games when they trailed Luton 2-0 at half-time of last Saturday's clash at the CBS Arena, but they battled back to win 3-2 with Haji Wright grabbing the winner in stoppage time.
That should put an extra spring in the step of Mark Robins' men this weekend, as Coventry head to the Riverside Stadium to face a Boro side struggling for consistency.
Team news
Middlesbrough could be boosted by the return of Dael Fry (calf) and Marcus Forss (hamstring) to the matchday squad on Saturday, but neither player is likely to feature from the off following long injury lay-offs.
Alex Gilbert (knee) and Lukas Engel (abdominal) are also closing in on returns, although this game will come too soon for both, while Alex Bangura, Tommy Smith (both Achilles) and Darragh Lenihan (ankle) remain sidelined.
Coventry have no fresh injury concerns to contend with but Ben Wilson (unspecified), Jake Bidwell (knee), Jamie Allen and Raphael Borges Rodrigues (both leg) are all still unavailable.
The stats
After beating Sheffield United in their last home fixture, Middlesbrough are aiming to secure back-to-back home wins in the Championship for the first time this season.
Coventry have failed to win any of their last nine away matches in the league, a run that dates back to the end of March, but they have drawn three of their last five road fixtures.
The Sky Blues are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Boro and they have won on their two most recent trips to the Riverside Stadium.
These two teams met in the Championship play-off semi-finals two seasons ago, with Coventry prevailing 1-0 on aggregate before losing the final on penalties to Luton.
Prediction
Robins is the Championship's longest serving manager, but the pressure appeared to be mounting when Coventry trailed Luton 2-0 last weekend.
However, his side showed great character to come back and win that game and they can follow up by gaining another positive result at the Riverside.
Coventry have a great recent record when facing Boro – they are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the two sides – and while their opponents sit six points better off than them in the early-season standings, consistency has been a problem for Michael Carrick's team.
Boro have yet to win back-to-back games at home this season and despite an impressive success against Sheffield United in their last fixture at the Riverside, they had lost to Bristol City just days before that victory.
While it is difficult to know which Middlesbrough side will turn up on Saturday, Coventry should be buoyed by last weekend's comeback and they are capable of at least avoiding a fourth away defeat of the season.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
