Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 22/02/2024, 10:00  by Nella Wagah | Modified on 24/02/2024 at 02:00 in Championship Prediction

Seeking to stabilize in the remaining Championship matches, Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle will meet next, both eying three points. Hosts Middlesbrough are 10 points behind the promotion playoff slots while Plymouth are just five above the relegation zone. By the two sides’ high standards last season, they were expected to do well this term but it just hasn’t worked for either side. Middlesbrough finished fourth last season and were close to a Premier League return. However, 13 wins and five draws after 32 matches so far, leave them 13th with 44 points. One of their major shortcomings has been in defence. They come into this game having conceded 47 times. In 12 matches across all competitions, they have just one clean sheet. It hasn’t been great for them in the run-up to this encounter, but Middlesbrough are coming from a shock 2-1 win over Leicester City. Goals from former Plymouth man Finn Azaz, and Samuel Silvera had them in a commanding first half lead. They did well in the second half save for a nervy ending that saw Jamie Vardy pull one back for Leicester. Beating the league leaders away from home is surely a boost and they’ll want to rise from a run that has just a win in six outings.

Plymouth impressed in their reverse fixture against Middlesbrough, twice coming from behind to see it end 3-3. Finn Azaz, now in Middlesbrough was one of the scorers in that game. That was just one of the 24 times they’ve failed to win in the Championship this season. They are on a run of just nine wins in 33 league matches. This means Plymouth have fallen short of the performance that saw them bag 101 points in League One last season. A 3-0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion in their last game left Plymouth on 37 points. They aren’t entirely safe from the jaws of relegation and it means they will go to this game targeting a win. With the loss to West Brom, Plymouth have now failed to score in two straight games, and are winless in five. Like Middlesbrough, Plymouth are also struggling defensively. They come here having conceded 57 times in 33 league matches. Only bottom placed Rotherham United and Blackburn Rovers have conceded more. Across all competitions, Plymouth have just one clean sheet in 15 matches. That came away from home against Swansea but both teams scored in five of their last six away games.