Is Boro’s run of form coming to an end?

Middlesbrough are on course for the promotion play-offs. After an impressive winning streak – Boro have won four games in a row – head coach Chris Wilder’s side are breathing down their rivals’ necks and have the chance to move up to sixth in the Championship table if they are successful at Rovers on Monday night.

Monday’s opponents, like Middlesbrough, are fighting for promotion to the English top flight. Unlike Boro, however, Blackburn Rovers have a realistic chance of a direct promotion spot. Level on points with the Cherries from Bournemouth (2nd), Rovers are in third place.

Because their neighbours in the table, Bournemouth, recently suffered a defeat, Blackburn can move past their promotion rivals with three points against Middlesbrough FC and take second place for the time being – with one game more on the account, mind you.

Betting on the hosts is definitely recommended. Blackburn have not lost a competitive match against Boro since February 2019. In the first half of the current season, they already earned a well-deserved point away from home against their league rivals from North Yorkshire.

Blackburn – Statistics & current form

Rovers lost a Championship match last week for the first time since the first week of November 2021. There was no point for Blackburn against a potential relegation candidate like Hull City after a disappointing performance. Prior to that, head coach Tony Mowbray’s side had gone ten consecutive games unbeaten at league level.

Nevertheless, it is more than surprising that Blackburn vs. Middlesbrough odds of 2.60 are offered for tip 1. Blackburn are the second strongest team in the league at home and have only lost two of 14 home games in the Championship. Only Fulham FC have taken more points at home than Rovers.

The recent home record against Monday’s opponents is also encouraging. Since September 2012, Blackburn have lost only one of their last six home games against Boro. In their last two home games, Blackburn Rovers not only remained unbeaten, but even kept their clean sheet against Middlesbrough FC.

Second most potent attack in the league

The performance of the attack will set the tone for Monday’s clash in the Championship. Middlesbrough have one of the strongest defences in the league. Blackburn, on the other hand, have one of the strongest attacking lines. On average, Rovers score 1.63 goals per game – only the leaders FFC have been more effective so far.

Ben Brereton Díaz played a big part in the goal output. The star striker of Rovers has already scored 20 goals and is thus the second best goal scorer in the Championship. It is quite possible that the Chilean youngster will also score in the encounter with Boro. Díaz has scored in five of Blackburn’s last six home games.

Only Bradley Dack is expected to miss Monday’s Championship game through injury. Otherwise, head coach Tony Mowbray has no serious absentees.

Predicted Blackburn line-up:
Kaminski – Van Hecke, Lenihan, Wharton – Nyambe, Travis, Rothwell, Edun – Buckley – Diaz, Khadra

Last matches played by Blackburn:

Championship
01/19 2022 – Hull 2 – 0 Blackburn

01/15 2022 – Cardiff 0 – 1 Blackburn

FA Cup
01/08 2022 – Wigan 3 – 2 Blackburn

Championship
01/02 2022 – Blackburn 0 – 0 Huddersfield

12/29 2021 – Blackburn 2 – 1 Barnsley

Middlesbrough – Statistics & current form

The visitors from Middlesbrough are currently one of the most in-form teams in the league. Boro have won seven of their last eight competitive matches. Among other things, this enabled them to reach the last 32 in the FA Cup, while Middlesbrough FC also reduced the gap in the race for the promotion play-offs.

On Monday night, the North Yorkshire red and whites will be looking for a chance to knock sixth-placed Huddersfield out of the last play-off spot with a win at Blackburn. The team’s recent record away from home is particularly encouraging ahead of the clash with Rovers.

Since the away defeat at Luton almost three months ago, Middlesbrough FC have not lost any of their last four away games in the Championship. The in-form Red and Whites even picked up a point at West Brom, so Boro will be going into Monday’s game against Blackburn Rovers with a big chest to stand on.

Will the defensive bulwark hold against Blackburn?

The match against the promotion rivals will be a real test for the back line – especially as Monday’s opponents have one of the strongest offences in the Championship. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, have one of the strongest defences in the league with an average of less than one goal conceded per league game.

Meanwhile, only Bournemouth and West Brom can boast a better average. Boro may well underpin those stats in their away game against Blackburn. Since March 2016, they have never conceded more than one goal per match in their last seven competitive matches against their upcoming opponents.

It therefore stands to reason that rather few goals are to be expected in the upcoming match. Currently, odds of up to 2.88 are offered on Blackburn vs. Middlesbrough for a prediction of under 2.5 goals. Head coach Chris Wilder will only have to do without James Léa Siliki for the away game at Blackburn, who continues to feature in the 2022 Africa Cup.

Predicted line-up of Middlesbrough:
Lumley – Dijksteel, Fry, McNair – Jones, Crooks, Howson, Taylor – Tavernier – Sporar, Balogun

Last matches played by Middlesbrough:

Championship
01/15 2022 – Middlesboro 2 – 1 Reading

FA Cup
01/08 2022 – Mansfield 2 – 3 Middlesboro

Championship
12/29 2021 – Blackpool 1 – 2 Middlesboro

12/26 2021 – Middlesboro 2 – 0 Nottingham Forest

12/18 2021 – Middlesboro 1 – 0 Bournemouth

Blackburn – Middlesbrough Direct comparison / H2H record

This is the 99th time the two clubs have met across competitions. In the Championship, however, it will be only the 16th match between Blackburn and Middlesbrough. Rovers currently lead the head-to-head comparison in League Two with a record of 4-8-3. One of the eight points were shared in the first half of the current season.

Blackburn thus remained unbeaten against Middlesbrough FC for the fifth time in a row. However, Rovers have only managed two wins against Boro in that period. Most of the encounters between the two clubs were defensive in nature. The last time a prediction of over 2.5 goals paid off in Blackburn vs. Middlesbrough was in March 2016.

Blackburn – Middlesbrough Tip

For both teams, Monday’s game is of immense importance – especially for Rovers. After all, Blackburn can clinch a direct promotion spot if they are successful. The visitors from Middlesbrough, on the other hand, can knock sixth-placed Huddersfield off the last starting spot for the promotion play-offs with an away coup.

Meanwhile, although Middlesbrough FC are in fine form, we think bets on a home win for Rovers are obvious. The third-placed team in the table is the third-best home team in the Championship and has only lost home games against relegated teams such as Fulham and West Brom. On the other hand, Rovers have already won nine of their 14 home games.

Blackburn have won five of their last six home games at Ewood Park. It’s quite possible that the next victory beckons now. With a stake of six units, we place our bet on a home win at odds of 2.60 on Blackburn vs Middlesbrough.