Middlesbrough v Huddersfield predictions: Playoff rivals set for tense contest

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Middlesbrough v Huddersfield in the Championship on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 12.30pm Monday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 10-11 bet365

Team news

Middlesbrough
Dael Fry is out and Neil Taylor is a doubt. Matty Crooks is suspended.

Huddersfield
Rolando Aarons, Alex Vallejo and Ryan Schofield are all absentees for the Terriers.

Match preview

Middlesbrough and Huddersfield's Championship playoff pushes have wobbled somewhat in recent weeks and, as the season nears the business end, this clash between the two could be a cagey contest.

Boro's success this season was built on their rock-solid home form but they have suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats at the Riverside, against Fulham and Hull.

They followed that with a 0-0 draw away to Bournemouth and, with just five games to go, Chris Wilder's side are outside the playoff zone looking in.

Huddersfield have a seven-point cushion over Boro, although the hosts have a game in hand on their visitors, and the Terriers have probably done enough to secure a top-six spot.

Carlos Corberan's side recovered from defeats to Millwall and Bournemouth with a pair of wins over Hull and Luton before they were pegged back twice in a 2-2 draw against QPR on Friday.

Goals have deserted Boro at exactly the wrong time as they have failed to score in their last three games. Aaron Connolly has failed to impress on loan from Brighton and having an out-and-out number nine would have been a massive boost to their top-six hopes.

They could still make the playoffs but have made things tricky for themselves, although their final four fixtures after the game against Huddersfield are fairly kind.

There have been under 2.5 goals in four of Huddersfield's last six Championship away games and the same bet is fancied here in what could end up being a nervy affair given the promotion stakes.

Key stat

Four of Huddersfield's last six away games have ended with under 2.5 goals

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