Just two points and three places separate Middlesbrough in ninth and their guests this Saturday Watford who currently occupy 12th position in the Championship table.
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Middlesbrough vs Watford prediction: Goals expected at the Riverside Stadium
Key Stats
- Four of Middlesbrough's last five matches have ended with at least three goals being scored.
- Four of Watford's last five outings have produced over 2.5 goals.
- Both teams have scored in four of the hosts' last five fixtures.
- Three of the visitor's last five matches have ended with both teams scoring.
Correct score prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Watford
Watford might have claimed a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough in October but Saturday's hosts have secured three victories from their last four encounters with the Hornets. Boro have scored exactly two goals in each of their last two home games, while Watford have conceded at least two goals in four of their last five outings.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing Boro
- HOME: 8/13 (1.62) – 61.9%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Middlesbrough are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 61.9%, and we tend to agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Middlesbrough edge it
Saturday's hosts have won three and lost two of their last five league meetings with Watford.
England Championship 05/10/24
Watford
Middlesbrough
England Championship 04/05/24
Middlesbrough
Watford
England Championship 30/09/23
Watford
Middlesbrough
England Championship 28/01/23
Middlesbrough
Watford
England Championship 30/08/22
Watford
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough preview: Lost last three on the bounce
Michael Carrick's side made the trip to Sheffield United in midweek where they ended up suffering their third straight defeat in the Championship.
The Blades took the lead in the 32nd minute but Boro did manage to equalise right on the stroke of halftime when Delano Burgzorg converted a penalty. However, the home side scored twice late in the second half to secure a 3-1 victory.
Jonathan Howson, Darragh Lenihan, Josh Coburn, Alex Bangura, Riley McGree and Anfernee Dijksteel are all doubts for the weekend due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Travers (GK), Ayling, Edmundson, Giles, van den Berg, Azaz, Morris, Hackney, Iheanacho, Burgzorg & Iling-Junior
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
Watford preview: Without a win in their last five
Watford had the home advantage against Leeds on Tuesday night but they failed to make it count as the visitors ran riot.
Dan James scored twice inside the opening 28 minutes and Leeds added a third before the break to end any faint hopes of a Watford comeback. The second 45 only produced one goal and it went the way of the visitors who wrapped up a comfortable and deserved 4-0 victory.
Kwadwo Baah, Pierre Dwomoh and Daniel Bachmann make up the trio of players who will miss the trip to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday through injury.
Predicted lineup: Selvik (GK), Ngakia, Pollock, Andrews, Abankwah, Sissoko, Chakvetadze, Dele-Bashiru, Louza, Kayembe & Doumbia
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Sheff Wed
1
Watford
1
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Blackburn
2
Watford
1
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Portsmouth
1
Watford
0
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Burnley
2
Watford
1
England Championship 12/04/25
L
West Brom
2
Watford
1
Player to watch – Finn Azaz
Middlesbrough's Irish international midfielder Finn Azaz is enjoying his best season since turning professional in 2016.
Azaz has featured in 30 Championship games this season, scoring eight times and providing nine assists, making him one of Boro's key players in the final third.
Azaz has 17 goal involvements in the Championship
The 24-year-old might not have scored in any of his last seven league games, since netting a brace against Sheffield Wednesday in December, but he has still been hugely influential during that period.