Hull vs Middlesbrough predictions: Boro to shade play-off tussle

Tom Hill

Spotlight

Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough are finishing the season strongly, with five wins in their current seven-game unbeaten run

- Hull have only won one of their last seven games in the Championship
- Middlesbrough are unbeaten in seven in the league, winning five
- Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win

The Championship play-offs are on the radar of both Hull and Middlesbrough and there is plenty riding on Wednesday's encounter between the two sides at the MKM Stadium.

Both teams have secured 61 points heading into the final few weeks of the season, but the hosts have played one game fewer and will look to use that to their advantage.

Hull won 3-1 at Cardiff at the weekend to end a six-match winless run, while Boro beat Swansea City 2-0 at the Riverside.

Team news

Lewie Coyle (back) and Ryan Giles (groin) both sat out the win over Cardiff, but Liam Rosenior expects them both to be available for Wednesday's clash.

Liam Delap remains sidelined with a knee problem, but he is hoping to return at the end of the month.

Middlesbrough coach Michael Carrick has lost Tom Smith and Darragh Lenihan for the season due to Achilles injuries.

Marcus Forss is hoping to return to the bench, but the game should come too soon for Riley McGree, Dael Fry, Josh Coburn, and Alex Bangura, who are at least hoping to be back in action before the end of the season.

The stats

Liam Rosenior's Hull have hit the buffers, particularly at home, at just the wrong time of the season

After a run of six matches without a win, Hull ended their wait for a victory with a 3-1 success at Cardiff. However, they are winless in five games at home.

Rosenior's troops have conceded in nine of their last 10 games at home, which will give Boro cause for optimism on their trip to the MKM Stadium.

Boro have scored in eight of their last nine games on their travels in all competitions.

Carrick's troops extended their unbeaten run to seven games (five wins) with a second successive 2-0 win at the Riverside, while they have taken seven points from the last nine available on the road.

The latest Hull vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

This game is expected to be cagey and intense with so much at stake, but it is hard to see Hull picking up the victory.

The Tigers are winless in five at home and are conceding too many goals at home, which is not great with excellent travellers Boro — only leaders Leicester have scored more away goals than Carrick's men — coming to town.

Both teams are within six points of the top six, but Boro look to have the momentum at this stage of the season to push for the play-off places.

Carrick's team have kept clean sheets against Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham, Blackburn and QPR in their current seven-game unbeaten streak, and it is that defensive prowess that should see them collect all three points in midweek.

Back Middlesbrough to win at 9/5 with LiveScore Bet.