Hull vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Leeds loanee can strike again

Friday night football looks to be a cracker this weekend as Hull City host Middlesbrough (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event). The Tigers secured a 2-1 away win at Stoke last time out, while Boro won their first game with Kim Hellberg in the dugout - as they beat Derby County by the same scoreline. 

Below you will find my Hull vs Middlesbrough predictions featuring team news and betting tips.

Team News

Hull welcomed back John Lundstram back to action as he came off the bench at Stoke, and he could be thrown back into the starting XI on Friday night. Joe Gelhardt has stepped up to plate ever since Oli McBurnie got injured, with five goals in seven games. 

He should play off the right, with Kyle Joseph an option to support Enis Destan up top. Mohamed Belloumi should start having bagged two assists off the bench, while Matt Crooks could drop into a deeper midfield role. 

Middlesbrough have plenty of defensive issues with Dael Fry, Luke Ayling, Darragh Lenihan and George Edmunson all out. Matt Targett may be forced to play at centre-back again alongside Alfie Jones, with Alex Bangura at left-back.

With Aidan Morris injured, Alan Browne should partner Hayden Hackney in midfield, while Morgan Whittaker will hope to continue his goalscoring form. Tommy Conway should lead the line once more. 

Football Odds

Today's Football Fixtures

Hull vs Middlesbrough Odds

Hull are priced at 11/5 to win this game, while Boro are 11/10, giving the away side an implied win probability of 48%. A draw is 11/5, over 2.5 goals is 5/6 and David Strelec is the favourite to score first at 11/2. 

Over 3.5 goals @ 9/4 

Hull City have been wonderfully entertaining in the Championship this season, scoring 30 goals, and conceding 30 goals in 18 games. Eight of their 18 games this season have featured over 3.5 goals this season, putting them second, only behind great entertainers Coventry in that statistic. 

Middlesbrough have seen both teams score in their last five outings, and they have scored four goals in their last two games. I think this should be a belting game to watch from a neutral perspective, with plenty of goals from the attacking quality on show.

Joe Gelhardt to score anytime @ 5/2

This is a great price given the form Gelhardt is in. The Leeds United loanee has now racked up nine goals in 18 Championship appearances, taking him just one goal behind Brandon Thomas-Asante and Carlton Morris in the race for the Golden Boot.

His recent form has been exceptional, with three goals in his last four, and seven in his last nine. Since McBurnie got injured, Gelhardt has shouldered the goalscoring responsibility, and against a leaky Boro outfit, I think he is a good price to find the net again. 

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