Middlesbrough vs Norwich prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-03-05 19:45.
It’s been a disappointing 2024 so far for Middlesbrough who started this Championship round in 14th place, 12 points from the play-offs and only six points above the drop zone. That’s a significant slide from ending 2023 three points shy of the top six, and it comes courtesy of losing seven of their 12 fixtures across all competitions this calendar year (W3, D2). Their latest defeat was at 22nd-placed Stoke on Saturday as Boro were beaten 2-0 for the second successive weekend.
Funnily enough, two of their three victories this calendar year have come against top-of-the-table Leicester City and Premier League club Chelsea, and so with play-off chasing Norwich City in town on Wednesday evening, manager Michael Carrick will be hoping the hosts are able to raise their game against stronger opposition once more. And having won four of their nine Championship games as pre-match underdogs all season (L5), they’re no strangers to shock wins.
The Canaries should also be wary of facing Boro after being turned over 5-1 in this fixture last season, whilst also losing 2-1 in the last two H2Hs at Carrow Road. But this March 2024 version of Norwich is an in-form side who consolidated seventh spot with a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday and have lost only twice this calendar year (W7, D4, L2).
Manager Wagner talked of his pride in the “commitment, attitude and fighting spirit” of his players against Sunderland and he will need more of the same as his side make the 458-mile round trip to the Riverside Stadium looking to record only their second away Championship win since early December (D3, L3).
Players to watch: Four of Sam Silvera’s six goals this season have come after half-time, including during injury time of October’s H2H. Gabriel Sara recorded a late assist in that game for Norwich and the Brazilian midfielder has been directly involved in three goals (G1, A2) on the road so far in 2024.
Hot stat: Middlesbrough have not scored a first-half Championship home goal since New Year’s Day.