Bristol City v Middlesbrough: High-flying Robins hard to resist

Bristol City v Middlesbrough
Saturday 2nd December, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports

Bristol City flying high

Bristol City trailed Hull 2-0 at half-time last weekend but the Robins dug deep and clinched their ninth victory over the campaign thanks to second-half strikes from Aden Flint, Bobby Reid and Josh Brownhill.

Lee Johnson's group were woeful for two-thirds of the match but were galvanised by the introduction of bustling striker Milan Djuric after the break. The Bosnian's physical presence gave City a fresh approach and turned the tie in the Robins' favour.

However, Callum O'Dowda suffered an ankle injury in the victory and will be joined on the sidelines by major summer signing Famara Diedhiou, Eros Pisano, Jens Hegeler, Ivan Lucic and Gary O'Neil. Meanwhile, Joe Bryan will be back in contention for Saturday.

Middlesbrough lacking fluency

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson demanded the Teessiders 'smash the Championship' as they looked to secure an immediate promotion back to the Premier League but Boro have appeared decidedly average of late.

The north-east outfit were beaten 3-0 by Derby at the Riverside last time out and have not built the burning belief, consistency or momentum needed to impose themselves on opponents or barge into the automatic promotion reckoning and now their grip even on the play-off picture looks precarious.

Middlesbrough are 11 points adrift of the top-two and are without key defender Daniel Ayalahere. Youngster Dael Fryis set to replace him at centre-back whilst Gaary Monk can also welcome striker Rudy Gestede back into fold.

Hard to resist hot Robins

Bristol City 2.46 have beaten Middlesbrough in each of their last four league meetings, silencing their visitors in their last three head-to-head battles. The Robins have lost only six games in 33 since March and on course for a top-six finish should they continue their current run of results.

Lee Johnson's group have however suffered two defeats in three at Ashton Gate - as many as they'd suffered in their previous 16. Nevertheless, a 48% home win record under their current boss in Championship action encourages punters who wish to support the hosts.

Middlesbrough 2.94 have appeared ineffective in a variety of systems, particularly on the front foot in a 4-2-3-1 formation so it'll be interesting to see if Monk mixes things up this weekend. An even W3-D3-L3 has been achieved away from Teesside but a lack of tempo and shape has often proven their Achilles heel.

With that in mind, the 1.76 available on Bristol City in the Draw No Bet market is a safer and more appetising angle of attack.

Both sides may oblige in Bristol

Only four second-tier clubs have scored more goals than Bristol City (30) this season with the Robins firing blanks on only five occasions. A healthy 11 of those goals have arrived from set-piece situations with Aden Flint responsible for five.

Defensively City have shutout three visitors to Ashton Gate but all three were bottom-six dwellers and Over 2.5 Goals has paid-out in five of their nine home outings and 11 of 19 outings overall.

Middlesbrough have managed only 13 goals in nine away games but have been silenced just one on the road, an opening-day loss at Wolves. With Monk's men accruing eight clean sheets and shipping just one goal in a further five fixtures, opposing a high-scoring contest appeals whilst backing each side to get on the scoresheet appeals.

Both Teams To Score can be supported at 1.77, a more attractive proposition than the 1.80 available on Under 2.5 Goals.

Recommended Bets
Back Bristol City draw no bet @ 1.76 in Bristol City v Middlesbrough
Back Both Teams To Score @ 1.77 in Bristol City v Middlesbrough