Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth predictions: Tight Riverside battle expected

Tom McGarry

Spotlight

Middlesbrough could be among the promotion challengers in the Championship this season under Michael Carrick

- Portsmouth have drawn their opening two Championship matches
- Pompey lost only two away games in League One last season
- Recommended bet: Draw

Middlesbrough and Portsmouth will lock horns at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship on Saturday in a match that could prove a tight affair.

Boro followed up an opening weekend 1-0 success at home to Swansea by going down at Derby by the same scoreline, although they did claim a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Leeds in the Carabao Cup between those two league results.

Pompey exited the cup at the hands of Millwall, but they have begun life back in the Championship in a solid manner, recording draws against two of the pre-season promotion favourites, Leeds and Luton.

Team news

After coming off the bench against Derby last weekend, Boro's newest recruit Tommy Conway could be handed his first start following his recent arrival from Bristol City. The Scotland international is in line to partner Emmanuel Latte Lath in attack.

Josh Coburn, Daniel Barlaser and Micah Hamilton are also pushing for positions in Michael Carrick's starting XI, with the Boro head coach potentially considering changes after the defeat at Pride Park.

Pompey have signed goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid and defensive midfielder Abdoulaye Kamara since they were last in action and both players could come under consideration for this game.

Jacob Farrell, Jacob Murphy, Regan Poole and Colby Bishop all remain unavailable to manager John Mousinho, while forward Kusini Yengi is still a doubt due to an ongoing groin issue.

The latest Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Four of the last five meetings between these two sides have finished all-square, although they have not met in a competitive fixture since March 2012.

Boro lost just one of their final six home matches of last season and opened the current campaign by beating Swansea at the Riverside.

However, the Teessiders only won 10 of their 23 league matches on home soil during the 2023-24 campaign.

Portsmouth boasted the best away record in League One last season, losing just twice on the road as they won the title, finishing five points clear of nearest rivals Derby.

Pompey are unbeaten in their last 11 away fixtures across all competitions, drawing five of those games, including against Leeds in their opening match of the season.

Saturday's match will take place at the Riverside Stadium

Prediction

Portsmouth supporters may be facing a round trip of over 600 miles on Saturday, but given they have already taken points off two anticipated promotion contenders in Leeds and Luton this season, there is no reason they cannot do the same against Middlesbrough.

The best away record in League One last season underlines that Pompey are no pushovers on the road and the spirit they showed in their 3-3 draw at Leeds on the opening weekend shows they can also mix it when visiting the very best teams in the Championship.

Middlesbrough will provide a tough test for Mousinho's side given they have only lost one of their last seven at the Riverside, but they only won 10 league games on their own patch last term and may still be lacking a ruthless streak after drawing a blank at Derby.

This could prove a tight and tense affair between two difficult to beat teams, which should certainly bring the draw into the equation.

Back the draw at 29/10 with LiveScore Bet