Middlesbrough have conceded only once in their last six home games, winning three
Leicester have lost four and drawn two of their last six away Championship matches
Recommended Bet: Middlesbrough to win to nil
Second-placed Middlesbrough host Leicester at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night in a clash that pits automatic promotion hopefuls against a side entrenched in a relegation scrap.
Boro, who are three points behind Championship leaders Coventry with a six-point gap to Millwall in third, were held to a frustrating goalless home draw by Oxford United at the weekend.
That stalemate followed a superb run of six straight league victories that had put them briefly back on top.
Leicester are winless in eight games and sit in the bottom three thanks to a six-point deduction.
However, the Foxes stopped the rot after four straight defeats as they were pegged back to draw 2-2 at Stoke late on in Gary Rowett's first game in charge on Saturday.
The latest Middlesbrough vs Leicester odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Boro boss Kim Hellberg could be tempted to refresh his line-up, with midfielders Riley McGree and Alan Browne pushing for recalls.
Luke Ayling may also earn a recall to the back four in place of Dael Fry, who completed his first 90 minutes in four weeks on Saturday.
Morgan Whittaker could be pushed into attack alongside Tommy Conway, with David Strelec potentially dropping back to the bench after an ineffectual run-out on Saturday.
Meanwhile, new Foxes boss Rowett revealed that key winger Abdul Fatawu and fellow attacker Jordan Ayew both picked up knocks in training on Friday and missed the draw with Stoke, leaving him unsure if either will be fit to feature at the Riverside.
To compound matters, left‑back Victor Kristiansen was forced off in the first half in Stoke and is a major doubt, potentially opening the door for Luke Thomas to deputise in a reshuffled defence.
The stats
Middlesbrough boast the Championship's second‑best defensive record with just 33 goals conceded in 33 games.
Leicester have shipped 53 goals and own the second‑worst defensive record in the division and the Foxes remain winless in seven Championship games on the road since early December.
Boro won 1‑0 when the sides last met at the Riverside back in November 2023.
City are winless in their past 12 midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) league games (D4 L8).
The latest Middlesbrough vs Leicester odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Boro struggled to put the ball in the net against Oxford, who are much improved defensively, but they should be able to find ways to exploit an injury-hit and leaky Foxes rearguard.
Hellberg was quick to point out this week that no Championship team had been in the opposition box as often as his side were against the U's, when they registered 54 touches.
Boro's underlying attacking numbers, which includes a record of nine goals in their last four home games, remain strong and their defensive platform is one of the best in the league.
Leicester arrive short on confidence, ravaged by injuries and with serious frailties at the back.
Boro's superior organisation, home advantage and Leicester's awful away record point toward the hosts grinding out a result that keeps their promotion push on track.
Back the Teessiders to win with their fifth consecutive home clean sheet.
