Middlesbrough vs Cardiff prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-10-02 18:45.
Although sitting in 21st at the end of round nine would have fallen well below any Middlesbrough fan’s expectations at the beginning of the campaign, there seems to be a sense of cautious optimism building around the club after three straight competitive wins. That run has alleviated the pressure on boss Michael Carrick who hailed the “extra zip, energy, and confidence” that run has given his side’s play.
Next on the agenda for Middlesbrough is to end their torrid run of eight home league games without a clean sheet, their longest run without one in three years! A visit from Cardiff may be a good thing then as Boro have won three of their last four H2H encounters (L1), although the only defeat in that sequence was in this corresponding fixture last season.
The Bluebirds may be confident of doubling up on last season’s success here as they continue to defy expectations this season, with their four-game winning league run seeing them sit among the early play-off chasers. Eager to build on that, Cardiff boss Erol Bulut emphasised that the hard work “must continue” following their 2-0 win over Rotherham at the weekend.
A trip to the North East shouldn’t particularly faze Cardiff after their 1-0 win at nearby Sunderland in their latest road trip. However, another clean sheet is by no means guaranteed as the visitors have not kept back-to-back away league shutouts in one season since 2020/21, and that’s not to mention the fact they’ve shut Boro out on their own turf just once across the last decade (W3, D1, L3).
Players to watch: Middlesbrough’s Riley McGree is in the form of his life, contributing to goals in three straight appearances (G3, A1) for the first time since moving to England. Similarly influential for Cardiff, Kion Etete has scored in three of his last four appearances with two of those goals proving decisive in victory.
Hot streak: Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last nine league games held between Tuesday and Thursday (W7, D2).