Birmingham vs Middlesbrough Predictions

• Middlesbrough have won five of their last six league games after beating Blackburn Rovers on Thursday.
• Birmingham City, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back losses against Burnley and Hull City over the festive period.
• Boro have won four of their last five away matches, the exception being a defeat to leaders Burnley.

Boro on a roll

Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are flying after claiming a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers on Thursday, and they now occupy a play-off place after enjoying a brilliant revival under the former Manchester United man. Their first test of a year they hope will feature a promotion battle comes at Birmingham City on Monday, and there is every reason to think their outstanding form will continue.

Carrick has overseen six victories in his nine games at the helm after Thursday’s triumph over 10-man Rovers at Ewood Park. Boro have now won four of their last five away Championship games, with the exception being a 3-1 loss at leaders Burnley in which they gave as good as they got. With the likes of Chuba Akpom and Marcus Forss contributing at the sharp end of the pitch, Boro have netted 18 times in their last eight games, becoming the Championship’s third-highest scoring team.

Birmingham have not enjoyed much festive cheer, suffering a meek and deserved defeat at home to lowly Hull City last time out. John Eustace’s team have now won just one of their last five games, as well as one of their last five at home. Concerningly for the Blues, only four Championship sides have managed fewer than their 26 goals after they failed to net in three of their last four games.

In-form visitors can start 2023 with a bang

Given Birmingham’s recent slide and Middlesbrough’s excellent form, it appears unwise to look any further than the visitors for Monday’s game.

While we’re tipping Middlesbrough to start the new year with a win, a 2-0 away triumph could represent correct score value considering the hosts’ poor attacking record, while Akpom – the second tier’s joint-highest goalscorer with 12 strikes to his name – is our anytime goalscorer pick.