Bristol City vs Middlesbrough predictions: Get on goals at Ashton Gate

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- Both teams have scored in six of Middlesbrough’s eight away league games
- Both teams have scored in the last five Championship clashes between the pair
- Recommended Bet: Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
Only one place and two points separates mid-table rivals Bristol City and Middlesbrough in the Championship, but the gulf in class could be greater than those current positions suggest.
Last term Boro finished in the play-off places, but they were unable to emulate those achievements in the early part of the current campaign, as they failed to win any of their opening seven games.
However, Michael Carrick has rediscovered the winning formula as Boro boss and they have won seven of their subsequent nine matches, implying again that they could turn into promotion contenders.
The Robins, meanwhile, may be heading in the opposite direction as they have lost five of their last nine league games.
There is hope amongst supporters, though, that the appointment of Liam Manning as head coach from Oxford earlier this month will transform their fortunes.
Team news
Bristol City midfielder Joe Williams has returned to training following an ankle injury, while defender Rob Atkinson continued his positive progress with 45 minutes for the Under-21s on Monday evening.
However, Ross McCrorie, Andy King, Haydon Roberts and Nahki Wells remain out for the Robins.
A big blow for Middlesbrough is the news that Darragh Lenihan is set to miss the remainder of the campaign following an operation on an ankle injury.
Boro are also without another long-term absentee in Tommy Smith, as well as Matt Clarke, Marcus Forss, Lewis O'Brien and Riley McGree.
The stats
Middlesbrough have transformed their season in dramatic circumstances by winning seven of their last nine league games.
Boro are unbeaten in five away league matches, although both teams have scored in six of their eight road trips in the Championship this season.
Bristol City have lost five of their last nine league games, although they have taken four points from their last two fixtures and have a new head coach in former Oxford boss Manning.
Both teams have also scored in seven of the last eight meetings between these sides, which includes five straight Championship rivalries.
Prediction
Middlesbrough were in excellent touch prior to the international break, signing off with a 1-0 win at home to Championship leaders Leicester.
That means they have won seven of their last nine league games, although defensive injuries are starting to take their toll with Lenihan joining Smith and Clarke on the sidelines.
With Bristol City under new management with Manning, who was going well in League One with Oxford, they are sure to put in a positive performance in what is only his second game in charge.
So both teams to score could be the way to go and that is a bet that has paid off in five of Boro’s last seven away league games. It has also landed in five straight league meetings between this pair.
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