Middlesbrough v Bristol City predictions: Hard to separate Riverside rivals
- Bristol City have drawn five games in the Championship this term
- Middlesbrough have won just two of their last five contests
- Recommended bet: Draw
Middlesbrough and Bristol City both finished in the top half of the Championship last season and the congested nature of the division means there is not a lot between them again this term.
Although there are seven places between them in the Championship standings, only three points separate the teams ahead of their clash at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Boro lost their last game before the international break 2-1 away to Watford, while Bristol City signed off with a 1-1 draw against basement boys Cardiff City.
Team news
Dael Fry, Darragh Lenihan, Jonny Howson, Tom Smith and Alex Bangura are among the players who could once again miss out for Middlesbrough.
Bristol City could be without the likes of Sam Bell, Ayman Benarous, Rob Dickie and Rob Atkinson.
The stats
Bristol City have already racked up five draws in the Championship this season and each of their last three games have finished all square.
Both teams have scored in three of Bristol City's last four contests in all competitions.
Middlesbrough have won only two of their last five fixtures in all competitions, having drawn 1-1 with Preston at the start of that streak.
Michael Carrick’s side have not lost in four home Championship games this season.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in six of the last seven meetings between these clubs.
Prediction
It is hard to get excited about either Middlesbrough or Bristol City's prospects at the moment.
The pair have won just six games between them in a combined 18 matches this season and, while there is a long way to go, it is tricky to envisage either club pushing for the playoffs.
That said, there is clearly quality in the ranks of both teams, especially given the fact they were top-half teams last term.
Punters should expect the teams to cancel each other out and the draw could be the best bet.
Boro have performed slightly better this term but they are not helped by injuries and were beaten by Watford before the international hiatus.
Bristol City, meanwhile, have lacked bite up top but have been a tough nut to crack with five of their nine league fixtures ending as draws.
Indeed, their last three games before the break finished level with Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff.
The draw with Cardiff was a bit underwhelming given the Bluebirds have collected only five points this season and the Robins are unlikely to cause too many problems at the Riverside, where it would not be a surprise if spectators witnessed a goalless stalemate.
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