Middlesbrough vs Plymouth predictions: Boro getting back on track
- Plymouth have won only one of their last 16 away league games this season
- Both teams have scored in Middlesbrough's last eight league matches
- Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win and both teams to score
Time is running out if Middlesbrough are going to mount a Championship playoff challenge, but last Saturday's 2-1 success at league leaders Leicester would have gone a long way to restoring some belief.
Boro had gone four league games without a win before their shock victory at the King Power Stadium last weekend, and, as a result, they find themselves 10 points adrift of the playoff spots.
But there is still plenty left to play for, and Michael Carrick will be backing his troops to find a way past an out-of-sorts Plymouth.
The Pilgrims are five points above the relegation zone following a run of only two wins in their last 11 league fixtures.
Plymouth's dip in form has coincided with manager Steven Schumacher's switch to Stoke in December, and they head to the Riverside, having taken only one point from four league games.
Team news
Boro must manage without defenders Alex Bangura, Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith, while attacking talents Emmanuel Latte Lath and Isaih Jones are also sidelined through injury.
For Plymouth, Michael Cooper is a long-term absentee, while Adam Forshaw is a doubt, having missed out on Tuesday's defeat at home to West Brom.
The stats
Middlesbrough ended a four-game winless run with last weekend's 2-1 victory at Leicester, but they have won only six of their 16 home league matches.
Boro have now seen both teams score in each of their last eight league games, with them failing to score only once in their previous 12 Championship outings.
Plymouth have picked up only one point from their last four league matches.
The Pilgrims have been plagued on their league travels, winning only one of their 16 away games, with nine of those fixtures resulting in defeat.
The visitors have scored in five straight away league games, though, with both teams finding the net in four of those encounters.
Prediction
These two shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller at Home Park in November, and everything suggests the return fixture at the Riverside should be equally entertaining.
Goals have been the way to go in Boro's recent matches, with both teams scoring in their last eight Championship clashes, and you have to go all the way back to December to find the last time that kept a league clean sheet.
But while Plymouth may get on the scoresheet, Boro showed their talents when winning 2-1 at title-chasing Leicester last weekend and should be the fresher of the pair as, unlike their opponents, they were not in midweek action.
The Pilgrims were brushed aside 3-0 at home to West Brom on Tuesday, while Boro were enjoying a well-earned rest, and that was their third defeat in four league games.
Plymouth's away record this season reads only one win from 16 league games, they have suffered nine defeats, and their road misery may continue in what should be a free-scoring clash in north Yorkshire.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
