Does Boro defend their play-off place in the top match?

A large number of catch-up games are still outstanding in the English Championship. Currently, the teams in the English lower house have played between 37 and 40 regular matches and the current table is distorted accordingly. The duel at the Riverside Stadium between Middlesbrough and Fulham is, however, an absolute top game without any ifs and buts.

Both teams have played many years in the Premier League and are desperate to get back there. The visitors, the Cottagers from London, are not yet mathematically promoted, but nobody doubts their Premier League return. Boro” can also still hope, because the home side are currently fifth in the Championship and would therefore have a play-off place in their hands.

While Fulham, however, no longer feel any sporting pressure with a 14-point lead (despite two outstanding catch-up games against third place), Middlesbrough’s play-off place is not yet secured. A win in the top match would be accordingly important, the bookmakers offer betting odds of up to 3.40 on Middlesbrough against Fulham. The match kicks off at 20:45 on Wednesday evening.

Middlesbrough – Statistics & current form

Promotion would be the crowning glory of an already very strong season. “Boro” advanced this season in the traditional FA Cup to the absolute giant-killer. Manchester United and Tottenham were eliminated, and the team was only knocked out in the quarter-finals against Chelsea. But it was not only in the cup that Chris Wilder’s team did well, but also in the league. 62 points mean a plus of six points compared to the previous year and 21 points more than two years ago.

Twelve home wins in 18 games

Imposing is ex-Sheffield United coach Chris Wilder’s team, especially at home at the Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough can be described as an absolute home power, winning 12 of their 18 home games so far. No other team has celebrated more home victories this Championship season. The team is particularly outstanding in the first 45 minutes. The goal difference in the first period in home games is 15:4 in favour of the hosts.

On average, Middlesbrough has collected 2.11 points per home game this season. With the Cottagers, the league leader – and probable champion – is visiting, but it is not necessarily understandable that Middlesbrough is considered such a clear underdog against Fulham according to current odds. At least the double chance 1X seems a very promising possibility.

Because not only at home Middlesbrough presents itself very successful, in the last weeks it went absolutely as desired. They have picked up seven points from their last three league games, with goalkeeper Joe Lumley not conceding a single goal. Middlesbrough have managed to keep a clean sheet 14 times (in 38 games) this season. Going forward, Wilder’s eleven is not dependent on individual players, but the burden of the attack is distributed on many shoulders.

Predicted Middlesbrough line-up:
Lumley – Fry, McNair, Dijksteel – Bola, Crooks, Howson, Tavernier, Jones – Balogun, Connolly

Last matches played by Middlesbrough:

Championship
04/02 2022 – Peterboro 0 – 4 Middlesboro

FA Cup
03/19 2022 – Middlesboro 0 – 2 Chelsea FC

Championship
03/15 2022 – Birmingham 0 – 2 Middlesboro

03/12 2022 – Millwall 0 – 0 Middlesboro

03/08 2022 – Sheffield United 4 – 1 Middlesboro

Fulham – Statistics & current form

Despite relegation last season, there was not too much upheaval at the team from London. The expensive stars could be convinced at least for a year of Championship. If direct promotion had not been achieved, the future of the Cottagers would have been a matter of concern. Already at the beginning of April, this scenario can be confidently ticked off – Fulham will play in the English Premier League again in 2022/23.

14 points ahead

The current Championship table is still a little complicated to interpret due to the many different games, but already in the next few days head coach Marco Silva’s team could be cheering mathematically. Fulham still have eight matchdays to go this season and are currently 14 points ahead of third-placed Huddersfield. Mind you, the Terriers only have six games left and can therefore reach a maximum of 18 points.

Fulham have dominated the league at will this season, losing only six of their 38 league games so far and winning no fewer than 24. Two facts are absolutely impressive – the strong performances away from home and the outstanding offensive. Not only do Fulham collect an average of 2.11 points per game at home, but with a 12-4-3 record, this also corresponds to the points average in the away games.

The offensive line around the Serbian super-scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic has already scored an incredible 92 times this season. Mind you, this is in a league where fight, commitment and passion are otherwise clearly more important than quality of play. For his part, Mitrovic pulverised the previous goal record in the Championship. The 27-year-old Mitrovic has scored an incredible 37 goals this season. It is not for nothing that our top tips for the Middlesbrough vs. Fulham match include a prediction for a Mitrovic goal.

The superlatives from Fulham’s point of view are almost inexhaustible and yet victory may be doubted. In the last two away games against Barnsley (1:1) and West Brom (0:1) the Silva eleven missed the victory.

Predicted line-up of Fulham:
Rodak – Bryan, Ream, Adarabioyo, Williams – Reed, Cairney – Reid, Carvalho, Wilson – Mitrovic

Last matches played by Fulham:

Championship
04/02 2022 – Queens Park Rangers 0 – 2 Fulham

03/15 2022 – West Bromwich Albion 1 – 0 Fulham

03/12 2022 – Barnsley 1 – 1 Fulham

03/08 2022 – Swansea 1 – 5 Fulham

03/05 2022 – Fulham 2 – 0 Blackburn

Middlesbrough – Fulham Direct comparison / H2H record

The last time these teams faced each other in the Premier League was in 2008/09, and there have been a few games in the second-tier Championship in the recent past. Strikingly, between Middlesbrough and Fulham, the Under 2.5 prediction has been a very good choice recently. In the last seven Championship matches between the two teams, there have never been more than two goals. The first leg of the current season was played on the first matchday and resulted in a 1-1 draw.

Middlesbrough – Fulham Tip

The championship champagne is chilled and Fulham’s return to the Premier League is within their grasp. The Silva eleven dominates the league all along the line and is also considered the clear favourite in Wednesday night’s catch-up game. However, a prediction on Middlesbrough against Fulham does not seem particularly lucrative. Middlesbrough is a team that delivers particularly strong results at home.

In addition, the Wilder eleven has already made a name for itself as a giant-killer this season. The role of the supposed underdog definitely suits “Boro”. Coupled with the strong home record and good form, a tip in the direction of the home side is recommended between Middlesbrough and Fulham. The outright home win is a little risky, but the “Draw No Bet 1” is very interesting, which still provides betting odds of well over 2.00. The stake is six units.