Middlesbrough v Blackburn

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Preview

Middlesbrough collected a third league win on the trot in the Championship on Saturday when Boro recorded a 6-2 thrashing over newcomers Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium to further cement their place in the play-off pack.

Blackburn Rovers bounced back from three previous defeats on the trot in the English second tier when the Lancashire club registered a welcome 3-1 win away from home at Cardiff City but the visitors still remain in ninth place and four points adrift of the top six clubs.

Middlesbrough's three wins on the trot in recent times in the Championship have seen the north-east hosts pick up maximum points against the likes of QPR, Luton Town and Oxford United in 4-1, 5-1 and 6-2 wins respectively.

Michael Carrick's side will therefore be eager to pick up a fourth consecutive win here on Wednesday night when they return to the home surroundings of their Riverside Stadium where Boro have slipped to just two defeats so far this season.

The bigger picture shows Middlesbrough have been tough to beat on home soil at the Riverside Stadium as Boro have lost just three out of their previous 14 home games, picking up eight wins in the process, while eight of these 14 home games have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals as well.

Three defeats on the trot saw Blackburn Rovers drop down the Championship table after being losses by the likes of Watford, Sheffield United and Stoke City respectively but the Lancashire club managed to bounce back with a welcome 3-1 victory away from home at Cardiff City on the weekend.

Blackburn Rovers had previously started this season's Championship campaign in promising fashion as John Eustace's side had strung together a seven-game unbeaten sequence which included picking up four wins in the process.

However, it should be noted that each of Blackburn Rovers' early four wins this term were all achieved on home soil at Ewood Park with wins against Derby County, Oxford United, Bristol City and QPR respectively.

Results away from home in the Championship though continue to hamper Blackburn Rovers' progress as the visitors have managed to capture just four wins from their previous 21 outings on the road while also being dealt 11 defeats within this period as well.

Five out of Blackburn Rovers' last 10 away games in the Championship have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals, so this upcoming encounter at the Riverside Stadium could result in a low-scoring affair.

Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers Verdict

Previous history between Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers have resulted in low-scoring encounters and indeed, no fewer than nine of the last 12 meetings have produced two goals or less, while Boro should take the honours here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Middlesbrough win @ 1.50

Other side bets worth considering:

Middlesbrough win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.00

Correct Score: Middlesbrough 1-0 @ 7.50