Hull vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Play-off contenders could produce goal fest

Hull City and Middlesbrough both arrive into their game at the MKM Stadium on Wednesday night knowing that anything but a win is likely to end their faint Championship play-off hopes. At the time of writing, the sides are locked together on 61 points, six behind sixth-placed Norwich City, who have a favourable run-in.

The Tigers do have a game in hand on Norwich and Boro though, which gives them an advantage on their next opponents at least. Read on for our Hull vs Middlesbrough prediction ahead of Wednesday's 19:45 kick-off, which can be viewed on Sky Sports Red Button.

Hull boss Liam Rosenior will hope that Saturday's 3-1 win over Cardiff City can spark the Tigers back to life in the race for the top six. Prior to that victory in South Wales, his side had failed to triumph in their last six games, and they haven't picked up three points at home since beating Millwall 1-0 on February 3.

The home side's form over the past month is in complete contrast to Middlesbrough, who are on a seven-match unbeaten streak which includes five wins. Their defence has played a huge role in collecting those 17 points, with five clean sheets kept in that period.

It could well be too little, too late for Michael Carrick and co in their bid to make the play-offs, but they certainly have momentum on their side, and a third-straight win would send a big statement to their rivals.

Team News

Liverpool loanee Fabio Carvalho has really turned it on in the past week, scoring a first-half brace at the Cardiff City Stadium to add to his equaliser - which proved in vain - at Elland Road in a 3-1 defeat five days prior. The 21-year-old is likely to be one of the most advanced players again on Wednesday with striker Liam Delap still out injured and the likes of Aaron Connolly, Billy Sharp and Noah Ohio barely featuring in recent weeks.

Lewie Coyle and Ryan Giles both missed Saturday's match through injury and aren't expected back for this one, though.

The visitors still have a lengthy injury list which includes the likes of Riley McGree, Marcus Forss, Dael Fry and Joshua Coburn.

In the absence of Forss and Coburn, Emmanuel Latte Lath has really stepped up at the top end of the pitch, scoring five times in his last seven appearances, and it was his double that secured a 2-0 victory over Swansea City on the weekend.

Match Odds

Home advantage looks to have given Hull the edge in the odds, with the Tigers 13/10 - or a 43.5% chance - to win on Wednesday. Boro's chances of victory are rated slightly lower at 36.4% (7/4), while the draw can be backed at 11/5.

Both teams to score is 8/13 and it's 8/11 for over 2.5 goals which landed at the Riverside Stadium in December, when Hull ran out 2-1 winners.

Fabio Carvalho to score anytime @ 12/5

It's the obvious shout, but the odds are generous enough to back the Portuguese playmaker to bag for a third game in succession. Carvalho has actually scored four of Hull's last six goals and has seven in 14 matches since joining on loan in January.

Boro have kept five clean sheets in their last six, so it could take something special to breach their backline. Carvalho is certainly capable of the spectacular, whether it be a free-kick, an improvised finish or just a good old-fashioned thump from far out.

Keeping him scoring could be the key to prolonging Hull's play-off hopes.

Over 3.5 goals @ 2/1

This is a selection which has failed to land in Middlesbrough's last six games, with Carrick's side keeping it tight at the back. However, five of those opponents - all of whom failed to land a blow on Boro - are in a relegation scrap, and the other team - Southampton - did find the net in a 1-1 draw at the end of last month.

Their last head-to-head with a top-six contender, meanwhile, saw four goals as they beat Norwich 3-1 on March 6. Could we see a similar scoreline on Wednesday?

Hull have been no strangers to four goals - or a 3-1 scoreline - in a game recently. Their 3-1 win over Cardiff came after a 3-1 reverse at Leeds, and they also drew 2-2 with Leicester City last month.

With both sides battling it out to stay in the play-off race, there should be goals in this one.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.