Middlesbrough vs Oxford Prediction: Boro to prevail

Since a five-game losing streak between January and February, Middlesbrough have improved in the Championship and they are just three points outside the play-off places. They welcome Oxford United to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday (15:00).

Oxford were thankful for three points against Watford before the international break, which ended a run of nine matches without a win. Gary Rowett's side sit four points above the relegation zone and they have a tough fixture list in the final weeks of the campaign. Read on for my Middlesbrough vs Oxford predictions, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has come under a lot of pressure in recent months but he has seemingly navigated his team out of the rough patch they were in earlier in the year.

Boro have had to cope without a fit recognised centre-back in the squad for the last two games, which is far from ideal at this stage of the campaign.

Darragh Lenihan has been out of action since late 2023, Dael Fry has suffered another setback after missing the first three months of the current campaign, while Luke Ayling and Rav van den Berg have also been out of action. It was hoped that Fry and Van den Berg could be set to return after the international break, so they will be closely monitored ahead of the weekend.

Boro have had to drop midfielder Jonny Howson into centre-half for the last couple of games alongside natural left-back Nuno Borges.

Max Woltman, captain Elliott Moore and Stuart Findlay are in the treatment room for Oxford United. Other than that Rowett has a clean bill of health ahead of his team's final push to ensure their Championship status.

Siriki Dembele was the match-winner against Watford last time out so he is expected to maintain his place on the left flank, while Przemyslaw Placheta will provide the width on the right side. Mark Harris should lead the line for the U's, having registered two goal involvements in his previous three league appearances.

Middlesbrough vs Oxford Odds

Boro have won three of their last five home games in the Championship and they are 8/15 to come out on top at the Riverside. Better value can be had by adding both teams to score at 23/10 (which has an implied probability of 30.3%), as BTTS has struck in three of Oxford United's previous four games.

Five of the U's past eight away trips in the second tier have ended in a stalemate, and the draw is marketed at 16/5 on this occasion. Oxford are 5/1 to come away with the three points, but they have not managed a victory on their travels in their latest eight attempts.

Boro forward Tommy Conway has scored 11 goals in the Championship this season and he has already scored against Saturday's opponents. He is is the 11/8 (42.1%) favourite to score anytime on Teesside.

Middlesbrough and both teams to score @ 23/10

Middlesbrough are around mid-table for points picked up at home this season (32) but they have been having a lot of joy in TS3 of late, having won three of their last five league encounters here.

On the flip side, when it comes to points earned away from home in 2024/25, Oxford United rank 21st with 10. They have just won one game on their travels which came at Millwall on New Year's Day.

They have since gone eight games without a victory, which includes three defeats. The win against Watford provided the U's some welcome relief ahead of an intense schedule in which they have to face Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, who are still fighting for promotion.

Boro are also in this picture and so this is likely going to be another difficult away day for Oxford United. As such, I'm backing Middlesbrough to take the three points on Saturday, but I'm adding BTTS to the selection because it has been a winning selection in three of the visitors' past four matches in the Championship.

Finn Azaz anytime goalscorer @ 9/5

Conway is the favourite to score in this game and rightly so because he has the most goals in the league across both teams, but I am seeking better value in a player who has just one goal less than the former Bristol City man.

Finn Azaz has 10 goals to his name for Boro in the second tier in 2024/25, and he has been one of the standout players for individual contributions this season.

The Irishman has also provided 11 assists for his teammates, and he is the only player in the division to hit double figures for both tallies this term. He's such an important player for Boro and I think he's worth backing to get on the scoresheet - especially as he bagged a brace in the reverse fixture back in November.

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