Middlesbrough vs Reading prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-03-03 15:00.
Middlesbrough’s slim hopes of achieving automatic promotion were dealt a huge blow as they lost 2-0 at West Brom last time out. It’s not all bad news though, as Boro remain just seven points off the top-two with 36 left to play for, although winning to consolidate their position ahead of the play-off battlers below is arguably the most important task in the short term.
The improvement under Michael Carrick is undeniable, as he has overseen a club-record league return at this stage of any past manager (W13, D1, L4), though a chink in his armour appears to be in defence as his side have kept just four clean sheets in the process. In fact, the 40 league goals Middlesborough have conceded so far is the most of any top-half team, but a ferocious frontline means they’ll feel confident about extending both their home league winning run (W6) and their unbeaten H2H run at the Riverside against Reading (W5, D1) to seven games.
In contrasting style, the Royals have been on a steady slide down the table since topping the standings in round 9. However, Boro may need to be at their best to overcome a Reading side buoyed by two wins from their last three games (W2, L1), with their latest contest seeing them beat Blackpool 3-1. Boss Paul Ince stated that he was "really pleased" with that performance, perhaps even more so as his son Tom scored twice!
Continuing their resurgent form here will be no small task for Reading, who have picked up a league-low 32 away points and a league-high 26 away defeats since the start of last season, discounting relegated/promoted sides. Though heading into the round nine points from the top-six and 13 above the drop zone, a mid-table finish might be as good as it gets for the Royals this season.
Players to watch: The stage is set for Chuba Akpom to become the first Boro player to hit 20 league goals in one season since Bernie Slaven in 1989/90. Akpom has hit a double in his last two home appearances and six of his last seven strikes came at the Riverside. Looking to outdo him will be veteran Geordie striker Andy Carroll, who hit the opener here last season but curiously has never scored in 13 H2Hs with Michael Carrick during his playing days.
Hot stat: Reading won the reverse 1-0, but they’ve never recorded a H2H league double over Boro in the fixture’s 96-year history!