MIDDLESBROUGH v BIRMINGHAM CITY
Saturday 12th December 2015 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Football – England – Championship Betting Tips
Middlesbrough registered a third consecutive Championship win last weekend when they beat Ipswich Town 2-0 in an impressive victory at Portman Road to once again underline their credentials as serious candidates for automatic promotion this season.
Wins over QPR, Huddersfield Town and Ipswich Town have kept Middlesbrough in the frame for promotion back up to the Premier League and they currently sit second to league leaders Brighton and just two points behind ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
Middlesbrough’s home record stands at an impressive 7-1-1 16/2 having won their last three at the Riverside Stadium on the trot, and all to nil I might add. In fact, Boro have kept an impressive 7 clean sheets to date home, including their last five on the trot.
Visitors Birmingham City had started the campaign in positive fashion as they went unbeaten in their first five matches, but recently The Blues’ form has slumped which has seen them lose five of their last seven Championship matches, a run which has now cost them a play-off place position in the division.
They’ve lost their last three on the trot now with defeats suffered against Charlton Athletic, Brighton and Huddersfield Town and a trip away at in-form Middlesbrough will be a very tough test indeed for Gary Rowett’s men as he attempts to lift his side again.
Birmingham now reside in 8th place with a fairly reasonable-looking away record of 5-2-2 16/9 but the momentum has shifted in recent weeks as The Blues have lost at Hull City and Brighton (who are both in the top four), and Middlesbrough are also in this category of opponent this afternoon.
I have to go for a home win here as Boro should be too strong at the Riverside Stadium.
Pick: Middlesbrough to win @ 1.57 William Hill
