Bristol City vs Middlesbrough prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-11-24 15:00.
With the dust having settled after Bristol City poached Oxford United boss Liam Manning, fans are eagerly anticipating what his brand of football will bring after the 38-year-old had an international break to get to know his new team. The new boss described the Robins squad as a “terrific group of lads who are willing to go above and beyond” following a 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers to get his reign underway, but he will likely expect more from his first home match in charge.
Manning is arguably at a disadvantage from the off as his predecessor, Nigel Pearson, was well liked by supporters and ended his tenure with a 1-0 home victory. In order to meet the fanbase’s expectations, the West Country outfit will look to end a run of alternating Championship home wins and losses across their last five games at Ashton Gate (W3, L2) by earning a first pair of back-to-back triumphs at the venue since March.
That will be easier said than done against Middlesbrough, who are unbeaten in four of their last five H2Hs in Bristol (W2, D2, L1). They also travel south following a hugely impressive 1-0 win over league leaders Leicester City courtesy of a thunderous late Sam Greenwood free-kick which was Boro’s 100th goal under Michael Carrick, sending the Riverside into raptures!
It would be remiss to look at that result in isolation as Middlesbrough took the spoils in nine of their last 12 competitive outings (D2, L1), a sequence which has taken them to a Carabao Cup quarter-final and within touching distance of the top six. In fact, all three of their away league victories this season have come in their last four such matches, but all that momentum could count for nothing here as Carrick’s men have just a two-point buffer over their hosts after a torrid start to the campaign.
Players to watch: Two of England’s young lions could take centre stage here with City’s Sam Bell featuring for the U20s during the break, having netted his first home league goal for the club against Boro in April! Middlesbrough’s midfield prodigy Hayden Hackney turned out and provided an assist for the U21s against Serbia in what was his first goal contribution after four appearances for Lee Carsley’s talented side.
Hot stat: Three-quarters (12) of Middlesbrough’s 16 away league goals scored have come after half-time.