Middlesbrough vs Watford prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-01-27 15:00.
A first defeat to North East rivals Sunderland in over a decade hurt more than most according to Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, with the manager highlighting that the penalty and red card decision in that game didn’t “make sense” to him. The Boro will now be without towering centre-back Dael Fry through suspension for their troubles, but that 2-0 loss was only their third in the league under Carrick (W8, D1, L3).
That impressive record has seen Middlesbrough climb from the edge of the relegation zone into the play-off picture, and a victory here over Watford would see them provisionally leapfrog them into third place with the rest of their chasers playing at a later date. Such an eventuality doesn’t seem too far-fetched given Boro’s home record this term, losing just two of their 13 league games at the Riverside Stadium (W6, D5).
Similarly imperious on their travels, Watford are unbeaten in five of their last six Championship games (W4, D1, L1) and head here with a ten-game unbeaten run of league H2Hs to protect (W6, D4). Manager Slaven Bilić has thrown down the gauntlet for his men ahead of the final 18 rounds, stating that the Hornets must “win them all” if they are to catch up with the top-two.
Watford are buoyed in that regard by the loan signing of Benfica’s Henrique Araújo, an exciting Portuguese talent that scored a UEFA Champions League group goal earlier this season! With a league-high 34 players already used this season due to their lengthy injury list, Watford aren’t short of options as they seek to end a run of three straight draws in Championship away H2Hs.
Players to watch: Boro’s top-scorer Chuba Akpom (G14) thrives in front of the Riverside crowd, with five of his last six goals coming in home games, yet none served to open the scoring. Looking to help Watford to a H2H league double will be Vakoun Bayo, three of his four goals came beyond the 80th minute, including in their last away game and the reverse fixture.
Hot stat: Middlesbrough have won 15 points from losing positions this season; only Burnley have rescued more (W4, D3, L10).