Football betting tips and predictions for Birmingham vs Middlesbrough in Friday night’s Championship fixture including a must see anytime goalscorer tip.
It’s Birmingham’s final home match of the season and they face the daunting task of a visit from Middlesbrough. We’ve got the best bets for the match as Middlesbrough look for a vital three points in their quest for promotion.
Championship: Birmingham vs Middlebrough
Birmingham
Gary Rowett has said this week that he knows where he needs to strengthen next season. Brum haven’t scored enough goals this campaign and that’s prevented them from making a sustained push for the play-offs. The Blues are solid enough at the back, conceding just 46 goals in 44 matches, but with just 50 strikes, they have looked a little toothless up front.
Losing Demerai Gray was a huge blow and whilst Clayton Donaldson is effective, they lack a pacey frontman, who can fashion and finish opportunities. The spine of the team needs looking at according to the former Burton manager saying his side lacked control in the middle of the park at times. A top half finish is admirable considering the size of squad at St Andrews, but there will be disappointment if they cannot build upon that next season. An extra derby has been added to the calendar next season with Aston Villa’s departure from the Premier League and there could be extra spice if Walsall make a successful play-off bid in League One.
This is about as hard as it comes though on their final home game of the season. Middlesbrough will be licking their wounds after failing to pick up maximum points against Ipswich on Saturday, failing to capitalise on their two-point advantage over Burnley and Brighton.
Birmingham’s home form hasn’t been anything to write home about this campaign and the dedicated army of bluenoses will be hoping to bow out in style. They have collected just 31 points here all season and it’s no win in five in front of their own fans. They have scored in 12 consecutive matches here; it’s keeping them out at the other end that has been the problem.
Middlesbrough
We’ve focused on Middlesbrough quite a lot this season and with two games left to play, promotion is a very realistic aim. But will the disappointment of last campaign be playing on their minds? The Teessiders couldn’t find a way past Bartosz Bialkowski at the weekend, but they might find the Birmingham defence a little more generous.
‘The Lads are all buzzing’ and ‘we’ve put any lingering disappointment behind us’ are just two of the quotes from winger Stewart Downing this week, but whether they are true, it remains to be seen. Psychologically, Middlesbrough look the weakest of the three teams at the top, but should they collect three points here, they are in an excellent position come the final day of the season. This is a must win fixture as a final day showdown with Brighton awaits.
They’ll have a good following here in the Midlands, despite the disappointment of the fixture alteration. Friday night games are always difficult for commuters, but they will be backed by a vocal support hoping to roar them on to victory. Questions still remain over Aitor Karanka after the Spaniard walked out, before returning in March. He carefully placed his toys back in the pram just a few days later and he will be hoping to complete the job at the Riverside next weekend.
Middlesbrough still possess the league’s best defence and will be hoping to use that as a platform to build on. In January, they became the first Football League club to keep 16 clean sheets in their first 25 games and they have continued to go from strength to strength. They are always stronger with the Gibson-Ayala pairing and they should continue here. One more for stats fans – Middlesbrough have won all five of their Friday night games this season.
Team News
No new injuries for Birmingham ahead of this match. The on-loan Will Buckley replaced Diego Fabbrini against Huddersfield and put in the type of performance which could hand him a start here. Paul Robinson was also a force to be reckoned with when he entered the pitch and gave the side some organisation, but has the 37 year old still got the legs to play 90 minutes.
Middlesbrough’s major worry is over George Friend. The left-back wasn’t fit enough for the game against Ipswich and was replaced by Richie De Laet. Karanka once again faces a dilemma in the striking department with both Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent vying for a start. Christian Stuani could also be drafted back in as Middlesbrough look for goals.
Birmingham v Middlesbrough Predictions
Despite their slip up at 2/5 on Saturday, Middlesbrough are once again a very short price for this game. But, at 4/7, I’d prefer to back them to make the breakthrough in the second half. My first Birmingham vs Middlesbrough prediction is for Draw/Middlesbrough on the HT/FT market.
DRAW/MIDDLESBROUGH – 7/2 Bet Victor.
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Birmingham have scored in their last 12 home matches, but Middlesbrough have a decent defence. I think this one will be a slow burner and we’ll see few goals. My second Birmingham v Middlesbrough Betting Tip is for Under 2.5 goals.
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It’s an obvious choice for an anytime goalscorer tip, but after coming so close against Ipswich, Jordan Rhodes will be desperate for a goal to keep Middlesbrough in the promotion race. He should be given a third game on the bounce in which to impress. My third Friday night Championship prediction for Birmingham v Middlesbrough is for Jordan Rhodes to score anytime.
RHODES TO SCORE ANYTIME – 23/20 Betfair.
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Birmingham vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips
Draw/Middlesbrough – 7/2 Bet Victor.
Under 2.5 goals – 4/5 Coral.
Jordan Rhodes to score anytime – 23/20 Betfair.
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Jack Critchley
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