Middlesbrough vs Bristol City Prediction: Boro can get back to winning ways

Middlesbrough entertain Bristol City at the Riverside Stadium in the EFL Championship on Saturday (15:00) hoping to get back to winning ways after they were beaten at Watford before the international break. Michael Carrick's side had won two on the spin before that, so they will be hoping to bounce back on home soil.

Bristol City have drawn their last three but they are yet to pick up a single win on the road in the league so far. Read on for my Middlesbrough vs Bristol City prediction, including match odds and team news.

Middlesbrough vs Bristol City Odds

Middlesbrough are 4/6 to win this contest, which gives them a theoretical chance of 60%. Bristol City are priced at 100/30 to take the three points, giving them an implied probability of 23.1%. The draw is marketed at 13/5 (27.8%).

Both teams to score can be backed at 8/11 and over 2.5 goals is on offer at the same odds.

Fally Mayulu has scored two goals in the league for the Robins, and he is 3/1 to score anytime here.

Former Bristol City man Tommy Conway has two for himself, and he is 5/1 to open the scoring on Saturday.

Football Odds

Team News

Boro have no fresh injury concerns heading into this one. Boss Michael Carrick could opt to start Isaiah Jones on the right wing to hand a rest to Ben Doak, who has just returned from representing Scotland in the Uefa Nations League.

An opportunity could also be presented to Riley McGree in the final third, but the manager is going to be reluctant to alternate his team too much.

Bristol City boss Liam Manning is on compassionate leave following the tragic death of his son this week. Chris Hogg is in charge of first-team affairs until he returns.

The Robins are missing Cameron Pring due to injury, so Ross McCrorie should come into the side at full-back on Teesside. Rob Dickie and Rob Atkinson are also in the treatment room for the visitors.

Middlesbrough and over 1.5 goals @ 21/20

Middlesbrough will have high aspirations for this season after they failed to hit the heights expected of them last year. Carrick has already guided his team to the play-offs, so the objective will be to finish in the top six at least this term.

Before the defeat to Watford, it looked like they were starting to click with back-to-back wins. They have a chance to start building another run, and they will be glad that they return from the international break with a home game.

It's a favourable home match, too, as the Robins have failed to win a single game on the road. I like Bristol City's squad but they do appear to be struggling away from Ashton Gate at the moment, and I find it hard to see them picking up their first at Boro.

A tragedy in the week has seen the team lose their manager for the foreseeable future, which is also likely to have an impact on the team.

Boro have won two of their home games so far, and I sense a third could be on its way this weekend. I have boosted the odds by adding over 1.5 goals. This is because it has been a winning selection in five of the hosts' nine appearances in the second tier this season.

The clincher is the fact that Bristol City have been involved in just one match this campaign in which less than two goals were scored, so I think this market offers excellent value for this contest.

Tommy Conway anytime goalscorer @ 8/5

After leaving the Robins in a manner that was deemed disrespectful by the fans, Boro forward Conway is unlikely to get any love from the travelling contingent at the Riverside.

He's likely to receive a lot of stick, so he will look to silence the jeerers. The best way to do that is by getting on the scoresheet, and that is just what I am backing him to do here.

It's cliche but I think there is always great value in backing a player to score against his old side as it has happened countless times over the course of history in football.

Conway hasn't quite set the world alight on Teesside so far but he has already scored twice, and I think we can see him grab his third of the campaign against his old employers on Saturday. His goals have come in five appearances, too, so really that's a good return.

I think once he earns the faith of Carrick and becomes a regular starter, we will see his confidence grow and he will likely become a regular fixture on the scoresheet. He will be hungry to play against his old side, and he will be driven to find the back of the net against them.

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League or Championship game on Friday or Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement).

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

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