Middlesbrough vs Brighton predictions, preview and weekend football betting tips for the last day of the Championship season where only one team from these two will get automatic promotion.
It’s a promotion showdown on Teesside! With Burnley promoted, it’s winner takes all at the Riverside. We’ve got the best football bets for the Saturday lunchtime clash.
Middlesbrough vs Brighton Preview
Middlesbrough
It’s advantage Middlesbrough in the race for second place, but Aitor Karanka’s men cannot rest easy until around 14:20 on Saturday afternoon. The fixture computer couldn’t have thrown up a more exciting finish to the season with 2nd against 3rd in the Championship and a place in the Premier League awaiting the winner.
Burnley are up and Middlesbrough will be hoping to join them. Boro have Derby to thank for holding Brighton to a draw at the AMEX on Monday and it leaves the match in their hands. A win or a draw and Middlesbrough are back in the Premier League and they can banish all memories of last year’s play-off failure. They have a superior goal difference (+ 2) and if it ends all square, the home side will be celebrating for the rest of the weekend.
It’s three draws in a row for Middlesbrough and the inability to convert chances has been their Achilles heel in recent weeks. They had numerous opportunities against Ipswich and were denied by a rogue offside flag in Birmingham. After the mid-season commotion which saw Aitor Karanka temporarily walk away, Middlesbrough got back on track and haven’t been defeated in nine games. They have also won 16 times here this season. Despite conceding three goals in three games, they still have the best defence in the league and will be hoping they can thwart Brighton’s wave of attacks, similar to Derby earlier this week. Since the Spanish manager took over, his side have lost just five games here in two seasons, which is a very impressive statistic and a worrying one for Brighton fans.
They’ve conceded just seven goals at home all season and with Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson at the back, they should be able to keep Tomer Hemed and Sam Baldock relatively quiet. They’ll also need to keep a tight rein on the creative Anthony Knockaert.
If Middlesbrough score the first goal of the game, they’ll be fancied to book their place in the top tier. They’ve not conceded more than one goal here all season in a match and it would take a spectacular defensive collapse to change that. They’ve also won all 16 matches where they have taken the lead this campaign.
Karanka has quashed any sense of over-confidence stating that although his side have some important advantages, they have to make them count. They have a decent record against their fellow top six sides though and beat the Seagulls 0-3 at the AMEX in December.
Brighton
It wasn’t the best Bank Holiday Monday for Brighton and Chris Hughton as they were held by Derby and lost Lewis Dunk to a red card. They played well, but couldn’t convert their chances, a feeling all too familiar to Middlesbrough. It was an injury time equaliser for the home side as James Wilson’s shot bounced off Jacob Butterfield before finding the back of the net. Relief all around the AMEX, but they need a victory here to avoid dropping into the play-offs.
In my opinion, the Seagulls would fare better than Middlesbrough in the play-offs, but after their endeavours this season, it feels cruel to make either side play another three games. It’s been an unexpectedly productive season for Brighton. Their unbeaten run at the start of the season was impressive, with many pundits suggesting their blip around Christmas was the end of their title hopes. Credit to Chris Hughton though, he’s used the loan market effectively and gave his squad a refresh which reinvigorated their promotion push. They’ve played some scintillating football at times, particularly at home and they have scored some stunning goals.
Unsurprisingly, they’re the top scorers in the division with 71 this term. This number has been elevated by the five they hit against Fulham as well as the four they stuck past QPR. If you thought, Middlesbrough’s nine unbeaten was impressive, try 13 without defeat. The Seagulls haven’t lost since an uncharacteristic 4-1 defeat to Cardiff on the 20th of February.
They’ve won each of their last four away matches, but conceded in each. They beat relegated duo Charlton and MK Dons, whilst 17th place Nottingham Forest and 9th place Birmingham also couldn’t get past Chris Hughton’s side. Although they’ve won their last four matches, they’ve drawn 11 times away from home this season and that could be a worry for the travellers.
Middlesbrough vs Brighton Team News
- The major concern for Middlesbrough is the fitness of George Friend, who has missed the last couple of games. The left-back has been a major part of the team’s success and is struggling with a hamstring injury. Friend would be up against the lively Knockaert and is more versatile than Richie De Laet, who replaced him.
- Aitor Karanka will once again choose between David Nugent and Jordan Rhodes up front. The Middlesbrough boss doesn’t like playing two up front and it’s likely he will opt for the former Blackburn man.
- Lewis Dunk is suspended for this match after he was sent off against Derby. The centre back has formed a decent partnership with Connor Goldson, but will have to sit out here. Gordon Greer is set to replace him and he has been backed by his manager Chris Hughton.
- Elsewhere, Bobby Zamora is absent, but James Wilson will be pushing for a start after his late equaliser
Middlesbrough vs Brighton Predictions
Middlesbrough may have drawn their last three matches, but they are extremely difficult to beat. Brighton have drawn 11 times on the road this season and there will be enforced changes at the back for the Seagulls. The home side’s defence is hard to break down and I think they can get the point they need. My first Middlesbrough vs Brighton prediction for this weekend is for the match to end a draw. It’s 5/2 with Bet Victor.
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There’s a lot of striker power on offer here and I think Brighton can get on the scoresheet. Middlesbrough are always a threat going forward and with the likes of Gaston Ramirez and Albert Adomah in the side, they create plenty of chances. My second Championship prediction for Middlesbrough v Brighton is for Both Teams to Score? Yes. It can be backed at 7/8 with 888Sport.
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Jordan Rhodes is an obvious pick and is a shorter price, so it’s worth siding with the creative Gaston Ramirez to net. The Southampton loanee is always a threat and five of his seven goals have come at the Riverside. My third Middlesbrough v Brighton betting tip is for Gaston Ramirez to score anytime.
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Middlesbrough v Brighton Betting Tips
Draw – 5/2 Bet Victor.
Both Teams to Score? Yes – 7/8 with 888Sport.
Gaston Ramirez – Anytime Goalscorer – 10/3 Bet365.
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Jack Critchley
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