Middlesbrough vs Manchester City
Date: 30th April 2017
Kickoff: 14:05 UK/ 15:05 CET
Venue: Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough host Manchester City in a game they must win if they are to stand any chance of staying up this season. A win for Middlesbrough would keep them 19th but could bring them slightly closer 10 17th if Hull loses.
A win for Manchester City could see them move up to 3rd. It would also bring them one step closer to securing a top four spot.
Middlesbrough
After their first win of 2017 on Wednesday, Middlesbrough are somehow still in with a chance of staying up this year. Agnew’s mean beat Sunderland 1-0 in a less than a thrilling game. Therefore, as Hull do not have a great away record and are playing away on Saturday. A win for Boro could move them just three points away from safety with three games left.
However, while Boro did finally win a game, they still put in an awful performance. They did not look in form at all and only won because Sunderland are that bad.
Middlesbrough fans will be hoping however that the win has given the players some confidence to go out and give City a really tough game.
Injury news: Valdes and Daniel Ayala are doubts for the game.
Manchester City
After failing to break down 10-man Manchester United on Thursday, City really need this win. While they are currently 4th, the table is so close that could easily change by the end of the season. Manchester United are just one point behind them in 5th. Arsenal are five points behind in 6th but do have a game in hand. Therefore, with the table so close anything less than a win for Manchester City would be unacceptable.
Give Boro’s recent form a win for Pep’s men does look very likely.
Injury news: Bravo is likely to miss the clash after being stretchered off against Manchester United on Thursday. Stones and Silva are likely to miss out. Gundogan remains out.
Predicted line-ups
Middlesbrough XI: Guzan, Fabio, Gibson, Chambers, Friend, Traore, Clayton, De Roon, Downing, Gestede, Negredo.
Manchester City XI: Caballero, Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, De Bruyne, Sane, Aguero
Head to head
The last time these two met in the league earlier this year the game finished 1-1. De Roon scored a 90th-minute equaliser for Middlesbrough.
The two teams have met a total of 128 times. City have won 51 one of the matches with Boro winning 49. 21 of the fixtures have ended in draws.
Middlesbrough hasn’t beaten Manchester City in the league since 2008.
Prediction
Since Agnew took over Middlesbrough, their defence has been less than great, conceding four against Hull and Bournemouth in a matter of weeks. Couple this with how good Manchester City are at attacking and the fact Jesus is back, a win for City is very likely.
Final score prediction: 4-0 Manchester City.
Odds
Middlesbrough: 17/2
Draw: 9/2
Manchester City: 30/100
