Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Boro can inflict Bluebirds misery

This season's final Championship game at the Cardiff City Stadium sees the Bluebirds host Middlesbrough, with both sides having little to play for in the closing stages of the campaign.

Erol Bulut has been lauded by Cardiff fans for guiding the club away from another relegation battle. The South Wales club sit comfortably in 11th and Cian Ashford's 96th-minute winner sealed an impressive 2-1 victory over play-off contenders Southampton last time out.

Boro's surprise top-six push was officially ended - as well as their nine-game unbeaten streak - by promotion challengers Leeds in a 4-3 thriller at the Riverside on Monday night.

However, Michael Carrick's men have been difficult to beat on the road in recent weeks and could spoil the celebrations for Cardiff in their last home outing. Below you can find my Cardiff vs Middlesbrough prediction, as well as team news and match odds.

Team News

Cardiff boss Erol Bulut continues to have a lengthy injury list to deal with in the final stages of the season, although youngsters Ashford, Luey Giles and Raheem Conte have helped plug these gaps recently.

Jak Alnwick, Aaron Ramsey, Mark McGuinness, Callum O'Dowda, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Kion Etete all remain on the sidelines and are not expected to feature in any capacity on Saturday.

Carrick also has several players absent for the weekend, with Josh Coburn, Dael Fry, Riley McGree, Tom Smith, Paddy McNair, Marcus Forss, Darragh Lenihan and Hayden Hackney all likely to miss out.

However, there is some good news for the Boro boss as Sam Greenwood and Luke Ayling are both available for selection after being unable to face parent club Leeds on Monday night.

Match Odds

Cardiff are 13/5 - or a 27.8% chance - to register their 11th home league win of the season, whereas Middlesbrough are the favourites to take the three points at 1/1.

The draw is available at 13/5, while both teams finding the back of the net is as short as 8/11.

Middlesbrough to win @ 1/1

Boro have impressed on the road in recent weeks, registering respectable draws at promotion-chasing Southampton and Ipswich and play-off hopefuls Hull across their last three away games.

Middlesbrough boast the sixth-best away record in the division, and only league leaders Leicester have scored more than their tally of 37 on the road.

Cardiff could, therefore, struggle on Saturday, especially given that only six teams have netted fewer home goals than the Bluebirds this season, with the Welsh outfit netting just 26 times.

Boro were comfortable 3-1 victors in this fixture last season, and after a 2-0 win in the reverse game at the Riverside, they should expect to claim victory again on Saturday.

Emmanuel Latte Lath to score anytime @ 9/5

Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath's form in the dying embers of this season has been incredible, netting six goals in his last four appearances.

This includes a brace and assist in their recent defeat to Leeds and so Latte Lath looks a very tempting 9/5 to get on the scoresheet again this weekend.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.