Middlesbrough take on Bristol City on matchday 38 of the Championship on Saturday. Both teams are in the top half of the points table.

Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough are coming off a 1-0 home loss to Charlton Athletic in midweek. Despite seeing more than three-fourth of the ball (76%), Boro couldn’t score of any of their six shots on target.

Charlton, though, made one of their two shots on target count, with Conor Coady’s 59th-minute strike proving to be the winner. With a two-game winning run snapped, Hellberg’s side remain second in the standings, with 69 points from 37 outings, winning 20, trailing leaders Coventry City by eight points.

Meanwhile, Gerhard Struber’s Bristol are fresh off a 2-0 loss at Leicester City in midweek. The Foxes struck twice before the break, with Ben Nelson breaking the deadlock after 13 minutes before Abdul Fatawu doubled their advantage 15 minutes later.

Following a thrid straight defeat, the Robins have dropped to 12th in the points table, with 50 points from 37 matches, winning 14.

On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Middlesbrough-Bristol Championship showdown at the Riverside:

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Middlesbrough vs Bristol City head-to-head stats and key numbers

• In 92 meetings across competitions, Middlesbrough lead Bristol 35-33 but lost the reverse fixture 2-0 away in December.
• Boro are winless in eight games in the fixture – all in the Championship – losing six, including the last five.
• Boro are winless in three home games – all in the Championship – losing two, after winning the previous three.
• Bristol have won once in their last four road outings across competitions, losing thrice.
• Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Middlesbrough: L-W-W-D-D; Bristol: L-L-L-L-W

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Middlesbrough vs Bristol City prediction

The two sides have had contrasting campaigns. While Middlesbrough look good to take up one of the two automatic promotion places, Bristol are losing ground in the play-off race, trailing the top six by seven points.

In terms of head-to-head, Boro have a slender advantage, but the Robins have dominated recent meetings. Middlesbrough are winless in three home league games against Bristol, losing the last two, since winning 2-1 in August 2021.

However. Boro – despite a recent blip – are in much better form recently than Bristol, who are in the midst of a four-game losing streak across competitions. Hence, expect the hosts to take a comfortable win and remain clear of the chasing pack.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-0 Bristol City

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Middlesbrough vs Bristol City betting tips

Tip-1: Middlesbrough to win

Tip-2: Bristol to score: No (They haven’t in their last three games.)

Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals (Their last 10 meetings have had at least two goals.)