Oxford United vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Latte Lath can go three for three

After a bright start to the season, Oxford United have tailed off slightly and now find themselves just two points above the relegation zone in what is a congested bottom half of the Championship table. Des Buckingham will still be pleased that his side have been competitive this season, but they face a big test this weekend as Middlesbrough come to town (15:00, Saturday). 

Michael Carrick’s men thumped Luton Town 5-1 before the international break and now look set to smash into the play-off picture. Below you will find my Oxford United vs Middlesbrough predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Cameron Brannagan is hoping to return to the Oxford squad over the next couple of weeks after a spell on the sidelines but it remains to be seen whether the midfielder will be fit for this one. Siriki Dembele, Matt Phillips, Kyle Edwards, Joseph Bennett and Przemyslaw Placheta are all still sidelined for the U’s, so it may be a case of trying to get a tune out of what he has for Buckingham.

The big decision will come up front as Mark Harris and Dane Scarlett battle it out, while having switched to a back three against Watford, they could revert to four at the back on home soil. Tyler Goodrham will be key on the wing, while Ruben Rodrigues and Will Vaulks should play an important part in midfield. Jamie Cumming had a great game at Vicarage Road despite the defeat, and he will be targeting an important clean sheet in the Oxford goal. 

For Middlesbrough, Carrick will have a big decision to make on star loanee Ben Doak. The Liverpool man played a full 90, and then 66 minutes for Scotland over the international break, Carrick rested him at home to Coventry and spoke about managing his minutes this season, so although Boro need him, he might be left out again here. 

Aidan Morris is out with a knee sprain while Hayden Hackney has picked up an injury and didn’t travel with England U21s during the break. Those two leave a gaping hole in midfield that Jonny Howson and Dan Barlaser are likely to have to fill for the time being. Isaiah Jones will likely start on the wing if Doak is rested, with Emmanuel Latte Lath set to continue up top after a good showing v Luton. 

Oxford United vs Middlesbrough Odds

Oxford are priced at 4/1 to win this game, while Middlesbrough are available at 8/15. That gives the away side an implied win probability of 65% which just shows how well they are playing right now. A draw can be backed at 3/1, over 2.5 goals is 8/11 and BTTS is 4/5. Latte Lath is favourite to open the scoring at 4/1. 

Over 2.5 away goals @ 9/4

I’m a massive fan of Carrick and a massive fan of Middlesbrough. I think they are going to finish in the top six this season based on their creativity alone. They are currently creating the second-highest amount of xG in the Championship, only behind Leeds United this season in that particular table. 

They finally took their chances against Luton, scoring five times at the Riverside, and that followed up a four-goal display at Loftus Road against QPR. Latte Lath has found his groove and if Doak does play, he is going to cause serious problems. Against a side who are slightly out of form, I think Boro will be able to show their class in the final third. 

Emmanuel Latte Lath to score first @ 4/1

Latte Lath lost his place in the side to Tommy Conway recently, but he is now back in Carrick’s first-team plans after two goals in the last two games. He has now scored three in his last four and should take confidence into this game against an Oxford defence that has done reasonably well this term. 

However, I’ve already mentioned Boro’s attacking prowess and Latte Lath can be the man to get the scoring underway. He hasn’t yet lived up to his pre-season billing as a Golden Boot contender, but with a run of games he could begin to close the gap on Borja Sainz, Josh Maja and Co. 4/1 is a great price for him to score first in my opinion. 

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