Riverside Stadium
Thursday, 26 December 2024, 18:00
Two sides in the race for a playoff finish will battle as Middlesbrough welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Riverside Stadium on Thursday. The hosts already occupy the last playoff spot with three points over the visitors. While the hosts hope to win to guide their playoff place, the visitors are out to catch up with others in the promotion race. Below, I have the team news, possible starting 11, some interesting facts, expert betting tips, and odds.
Claim Your Welcome Bonus!Middlesbrough
WDLWD
Middlesbrough fought back to secure a 3-3 draw in their last game against Plymouth. Jonathan Howson, Hayden Hackney, and Emmanuel Latte Lath were all on the scoresheet. They remain unbeaten in four of their previous five games and have won three of their last four at home. They sit on the last playoff spot on the table with 35 points in 22 games, scoring 38 goals and conceding 28. However, Darragh Lenihan is out of this game due to an ankle injury.
Sheffield Wednesday
WDLWW
Sheffield Wednesday got a 2-0 win over Stoke City in their last game. The Owls were reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute of the match when Di’Shon Bernard got a second yellow card. However, Danny Röhl made a tactical substitution during the break, bringing in Gabriel Otegbayo to replace Michael Smith. Seven minutes later, Josh Windass opened the scoring, and Callum Paterson doubled the lead in the 76th minute.
Danny Röhl’s men have won back-to-back games and are unbeaten in 6 of their last seven games. They sit 9th on the table with 32 points in 22 games, scoring 28 goals and conceding 30. However, Akin Famewo will miss this game due to a muscle injury.
Possible Starting 11
Middlesbrough — Solomon Brynn, Anfernee Dijksteel, Rav van den Berg, George Edmundson, Neto Borges, Jonathan Howson, Hayden Hackney, Ben Doak, Finn Azaz, Riley McGree, Tommy Conway.
Sheffield Wednesday — James Beadle, Dominic Iorfa, Liam Palmer, Max Lowe, Yan Valery, Shea Charles, Barry Bannan, Marvin Johnson, Josh Windass, Michael Smith, Djeidi Gassama.
Interesting Facts
- Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in six of their last seven matches.
- Middlesbrough are unbeaten in four of their last five games.
- Middlesbrough have seen four or more goals in seven of their last 11 games.
- Di'Shon Bernard will miss this game due to suspension.
- Middlesbrough have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 games.
History of Head-to-Heads
Championship 2025/2026 
Middlesbrough
Championship 2024/2025
Middlesbrough
Championship 2024/2025
Sheffield Wednesday
Championship 2023/2024
Sheffield Wednesday
Championship 2023/2024
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough Latest Games
Middlesbrough 
Middlesbrough
Derby County
Coventry
Middlesbrough
Birmingham City
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Wrexham
Middlesbrough
Ipswich
Sheffield Wednesday Latest Games
Sheffield Wednesday
Preston North End
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
Norwich City
Sheffield Wednesday
Oxford
Middlesbrough
Sheffield Wednesday
Coventry
Expert Betting Tips
It is going to be a tough game here, but I will still back the visitors to pick at least a point from this game. While the hosts have picked up one win in their last four games, the visitors are unbeaten in six of their previous seven matches. So, no doubt, they should be able to ink out at least a point. However, Middlesbrough have always engaged in productive games, looking at their recent games. So, I expect this game to follow suit.
- BTTS for 1.71 odds
- X2 for 2.15 odds
- Over 2.5 for 1.73 odds
Other predictions
