Middlesbrough will host Sunderland in the final game of Round 30 of the Championship on Monday, 3 February.
With both teams looking for points as they battle for promotion and the playoffs, who will secure a win in this match? Read our Middlesbrough vs Sunderland prediction and preview to find that out.
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Middlesbrough vs Sunderland prediction: A low-scoring and close contest
Key Stats
- Middlesbrough have gone under 2.5 total goals in five of their last seven games in all competitions.
- Sunderland have averaged just 2.13 total goals per game in the league so far when playing away from home.
- Three of the last seven meetings between these teams have ended in draws.
Correct score prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Sunderland
While Sunderland have been in better form in the league recently, Middlesbrough are one a good team, fighting for the playoffs, who will also have the advantage of playing at home. With that in mind, we can see this being a close contest and won't be surprised to see it end without a winner.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Middlesbrough the slight favourite
- HOME: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.50%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.30%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
If we look at the Middlesbrough vs Sunderland odds, we can see that the hosts are the expected winners, but only by a small margin, so the bookies clearly expect a close match.
After all, this is a duel between two teams in the top half of the standings that are battling for promotion or at least a spot in the playoffs.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A tied matchup lately
In the last five meetings, both Middlesbrough and Sunderland have won twice, along with one game ending in a draw. Meanwhile, Sunderland have the advantage when we look at the overall H2H record between these two teams: 62-38-50.
England Championship 01/02/25
Middlesbrough
Sunderland
England Championship 21/09/24
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
England Championship 04/02/24
Middlesbrough
Sunderland
England Championship 07/10/23
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
England Championship 22/01/23
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough preview: Struggling to find their best form
With just one win in their last five games in all competitions, which also includes a loss to Blackburn in the FA Cup, Middlesbrough have struggled a bit lately. Despite this, Middlesbrough are in a solid spot in the league right now since they're seventh in the standings right now, tied in points with the first team in the playoff zone.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Riley McGree, Anfernee Dijksteel, Jonathan Howson, Darragh Lenihan, Tom Smith, Alex Banguraand, and Tommy Conway are all out with injuries at the moment. Also, two of Middlesbrough's goalkeepers are also out (Solomon Brynn and Seny Dieng), so Mark Tavares who recently arrived on loan from Bournemouth will make his debut in this game.
Predicted lineup: Travers (GK), Giles, van den Berg, Fry, Ayling, Hackney, Morris, Doak, Azaz, Whittaker & Forss
England Championship 03/05/25
L
Coventry
2
Middlesbrough
0
England Championship 26/04/25
D
Norwich
0
Middlesbrough
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Sheff Wed
2
Middlesbrough
1
England Championship 18/04/25
W
Plymouth
1
Middlesbrough
2
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Millwall
1
Middlesbrough
0
Sunderland preview: On a solid run in the league
While Sunderland have recently suffered a disappointment for being eliminate from the FA Cup by Stoke, they are without a loss in their last five matches in the Championship. Thanks to this, the Black Cats managed to keep up the pace with other teams battling for direct promotion as they're currently fourth in the standings, five points behind league leaders Leeds.
When it comes to team news, Aji Alese, Alan Browne, Tom Watson, Niall Huggins, and Romaine Mundle are injured and will not play in this match.
Predicted lineup: Patterson (GK), Cirkin, O'Nien, Mepham, Hume, Le Fee, Neil, Bellingham, Rigg, Mayenda & Isidor
England Championship 09/05/25
W
Coventry
1
Sunderland
2
England Championship 03/05/25
L
QPR
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Oxford Utd
2
Sunderland
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Blackburn
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Bristol City
2
Sunderland
1
Player to watch: Finn Azaz
With eight goals and nine assists in the Championship this season, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder has been one of Middlesbrough's most reliable contributors on the offensive end. With the team's top scorer Latte Lath out with an injury, Azaz will have to shoulder even bigger offensive responsibility in this game, so he's our player to watch.
