• Bristol City have won just once in five games, failing to score in three of them

• Middlesbrough have taken 12 points from four games under Kim Hellberg

• Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win & both teams to score

Kim Hellberg has made a dream start to life as Middlesbrough boss, with his side winning all four games since he took over.

The Teessiders have cut Coventry's lead from 10 points to just five and they will be eyeing another win at out of sorts Bristol City on Saturday.

Gerhard Struber's side have taken maximum points only once in the last five games and goals have proved hard to come by during that sequence.

Team news

The hosts must plot without full-back Neto Borges as he is on loan from Middlesbrough and ineligible for this contest.

They have lost Mark Sykes to a quad injury, while Zak Vyner and George Tanner were absent for last weekend's reverse against league leaders Coventry and face late assessments now.

Boro forward Sontje Hansen has been missing in recent weeks with an illness but should be back in the matchday squad, while USA international midfielder Aidan Morris is back training and could also travel to Ashton Gate.

The latest Bristol City vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Bristol City have won the last four Championship meetings between the sides and are unbeaten in seven against Middlesbrough.

Both teams have scored in eight of the last nine meetings, with over 2.5 goals obliging in seven of the nine.

Both teams have scored in Middlesbrough's last eight Championship games.

Bristol City have failed to score in four of their previous eight games.

Middlesbrough forward Morgan Whittaker has scored in six straight Championship games.

Prediction

Middlesbrough have quickly moved on from Rob Edwards shunning their promotion dream in favour of a relegation scrap with Wolves and, on recent form, the two teams could end up swapping divisions come May.

Hellberg has made a dream start at the Riverside, with four wins and 11 goals in four games and they have the hottest striker in the second tier, with Morgan Whittaker netting in six successive games.

They have needed him, as Boro have not managed a clean sheet in eight.

No side has plundered more points in the last six games than Middlesbrough's 13 and that includes their home reverse against leaders Coventry.

The Robins have lost three of their last five games and another setback could be incoming for Struber's side against a slick visiting side that had the points wrapped up not long after half-time last weekend having scored three times against QPR.

Back Middlesbrough to win & both teams to score @ 33/10 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Bristol City vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet