Middlesbrough v Birmingham predictions, betting preview and football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Middlesbrough v Birmingham City in the Championship on Saturday

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Birmingham or draw double chance
2pts Evs Betway

Team news

Middlesbrough
Marcus Brown faces a long spell on the sidelines with a dislocated kneecap while Ashley Fletcher and Grant Hall remain absent.

Birmingham
Midfielders Alen Halilovic and Gary Gardner are doubts.

Match preview

Dreadful home results have dragged Birmingham into a Championship relegation scrap but Aitor Karanka's side have done better on their travels and can avoid defeat against playoff chasing Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

The lack of fans seems to have hindered Birmingham, who have lost eight of 12 league games at St Andrew's.

But it has been a totally different story on the road - the Blues have lost one of their last eight away league games.

Birmingham have claimed good results at some tough venues - drawing at Swansea and Stoke plus winning 2-1 at Reading.

And it could be a good time for them to take on Boro, who suffered from a Covid outbreak in the run-up to last Saturday's 2-1 loss at Brentford in the FA Cup third round.

Boro are in better shape than they were last weekend but some players may not be feeling 100 per cent and they look a side worth opposing.

Key stat

Birmingham have lost one of their last eight away league games

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