- Middlesbrough have won five of their last six home matches 
- Ipswich have scored in nine of their 10 away matches this season 
- Recommended bet: Draw and BTTS

Two promotion hopefuls will get the chance to prove their credentials when Middlesbrough host Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough lost last weekend, with Leeds United running out 3-2 winners against them in an entertaining battle at Elland Road. The Tractor Boys were also victorious as they beat Coventry City 2-1 at Portman Road.

Team news

Middlesbrough defender Anfernee Dijksteel will be absent for this week's battle due to suspension, having been sent off against Leeds.

Forward Marcus Forss and midfield pair Riley McGree and Lewis O'Brien will all need to prove their fitness after recent injury lay-offs, while Dael Fry, Hayden Hackney, Tom Smith, and Darragh Lenihan all remain sidelined.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has no injuries to worry about, as his side continue to defy the odds and compete for automatic promotion.

The stats

Middlesbrough have lost two of their last three in the second tier, losing 3-2 on both occasions to Bristol City and Leeds, but at home they have been tough to beat.

Carrick's side started the campaign at home by failing to win any of their first three matches, but they have now won five of their last six at the Riverside Stadium.

They have beaten the likes of Southampton, Cardiff, Leicester and Preston, and all those teams are inside the top half of the Championship table.

They have kept four clean sheets during that run, but they may struggle to stop Ipswich from finding the back of the net. McKenna's squad did lose on their last trip away from home, with West Brom securing a 2-0 success against them last month.

The Tractor Boys have only won one of their last five on the road in the second tier, but they have scoured six goals during that time.

Prediction

Middlesbrough pushed Leeds all the way last week, and they are likely to do the same against Ipswich.

Carrick's team may have a good recent record at home, but they are going to be tested at the back by McKenna's team, who have scored a league-high 41 goals.

Ipswich's recent away form suggests they are showing signs of slowing down in their quest for promotion and, with games coming thick and fast, these two teams could very well cancel each other in a high-scoring draw.

Back the draw and both teams to score at 5/2 with LiveScore Bet

Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!

Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!

Predict the score of all six LiveScore 6 fixtures for your chance to win. 18+, UK/Ireland residents only, T&Cs apply.