Bristol City vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Bristol City, who have several players injured, will have a difficult time ahead

Bristol City is set to host Middlesbrough on Monday at Ashton Gate Stadium. Middlesbrough are chasing promotion and the latest hurdle against them is injury-prone Bristol. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes? 

Bristol City exacted revenge on Stoke City, defeating them in a similar fashion to their previous encounter four months ago. The earlier game saw Bristol City go ahead but eventually lose 2-1 to Stoke, whereas in the most recent match, Nick Powell scored to give Stoke a one-goal lead at halftime. However, Zak Vyner scored a looping header to equalize for Bristol City 18 minutes before the end of the game. Anis Mehmeti came off the bench and scored the decisive goal late in the game to complete the comeback for Nigel Pearson's team. Bristol City had a poor first half, but they put it behind them to register their first win in four games. They are in a comfortable position in the Championship, sitting 13th in the table with no real pressure, as they have an 11-point cushion above the relegation zone and are seven points behind the playoff spots. Although they have not kept a clean sheet in four games, Bristol City has remained unbeaten in their last seven Championship matches at Ashton Gate, scoring in each game.

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Pring, Dasilva; King, James; Weimann, Conway, Bell; Wells

Despite Chuba Akpom and his teammates' consistent efforts, Middlesbrough failed to spoil Burnley's promotion party, as the Clarets secured their immediate return to the Premier League with a victory at the Riverside Stadium. Despite Akpom scoring his 26th goal of the season from the penalty spot, goals from Ashley Barnes and Connor Roberts secured a place in the top tier for Burnley, while also damaging Boro's hopes of securing automatic promotion. Following back-to-back defeats to Huddersfield Town and Burnley, Michael Carrick's side is nine points behind second-placed Sheffield United - who has a game in hand - but remains comfortably positioned in fourth place in the playoff spots. While Boro should have no problem holding onto their top-six berth, two consecutive losses for the first time since October could offer a glimmer of hope to Norwich City and Preston North End. Boro has now gone 10 away games without keeping a clean sheet in the Championship. In November, Akpom played the role of hero, helping Middlesbrough secure a point against Bristol City in a 1-1 draw after coming from behind. However, they have only won two of their last eight matches against the Robins, who beat them 2-1 at Ashton Gate during the 2021-22 season.

Steffen; Smith, McNair, Fry, Giles; Ramsey, Howson, Crooks, McGree; Akpom, Archer

Bristol City is in good form, having won their last game in a late comeback, and will give Middlesbrough a tough challenge. However, despite some recent defensive struggles, Middlesbrough is a strong attacking side led by Chuba Akpom, and is expected to win the game, albeit by a narrow margin. Bristol City's tendency to score goals at home will be helpful, but Middlesbrough is likely to deal the injury-hit hosts their first home defeat in the Championship this year. We expect more than 2.5 goals in the game.