Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth Prediction: Portsmouth is eying their first win

Middlesbrough will host Portsmouth at the Riverside Stadium in Gameweek 3 of the English Championship. Portsmouth is eying their first win. Who will take the spoils when the ball stops after 90 minutes?

Middlesbrough form

Middlesbrough, for the eighth year in a row, will feature again in the Championship after ending the past season in eighth place. Michael Carrick's side will be vying for promotion this season and was off to a bright start after opening their campaign with a 1-0 win over Swansea City. They demonstrated consistency by following this up with an authoritative display in the EFL Cup while seeing off Leeds United 3-0. Still, they lost their latest league outing against Derby County 1-0. Having lost their last match to Brighton, Middlesbrough will look to fare better in this encounter with hosts Portsmouth, a side against whom they haven't played a competitive game since 2012, and where they hope not to lose again to a newly-promoted outfit.

Predicted Middlesbrough Lineup

Dieng; Ayling, Van den Berg, Clarke, Engel; Hackney, Morris; Jones, Azaz, Burgzorg; Latte Lath

Portsmouth form

John Mousinho is still waiting for his first Championship win since being appointed Portsmouth manager after his side drew their opening two league fixtures. After starting their Championship campaign with a pulsating 3-3 draw, and then suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Millwall in the EFL Cup, Portsmouth could manage only a goalless draw against Luton Town in their last league fixture.

It means Portsmouth will now have to make the long journey to the North-East looking for inspiration from an impressive away record last season. They haven't won at the Riverside Stadium since 2006, although they have avoided defeat in their last three away games against Middlesbrough.

Portsmouth Predicted Lineup

Schmid; Williams, Shaughnessy, Towler, Ogilvie; Dozzell, Kamara; Lane, Lang, Richie; Sorensen

Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth Expert Tips

Both teams have been ravaged by injuries: Middlesbrough will probably be without Darragh Lenihan and Dael Fry, while for Portsmouth, Marlon Pack is still doubtful despite being clear of concussion protocols. Both teams miss a couple of players who will sit out the game due to different reasons.

The home record of Middlesbrough is appreciable, and they should record a narrow victory over a still adjusting Portsmouth side in the Championship.