Charlton vs Middlesbrough Predictions & Tips

Old teammates Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate meet again on Saturday, with the pair aiming to save their side from the drop. These two teams are only a point apart, with Charlton narrowly ahead of a Middlesbrough side who are in the bottom three.

The pressure on both sides is huge, as they are playing for their future in the Championship this weekend. A defeat could leave either side in massive trouble, especially as the sides around them continue to win. Who will step up on Saturday and settle this huge encounter?

Decisive for Addicks

Middlesbrough need points now, but this does feel like a rare opportunity for the hosts. This is their best chance to get another three points on the board at home, with their results at the Valley contributing 67% of their total points so far. They really have to make the most of their home games. They’ve done that so far, winning three from three against sides currently below them. A win over Middlesbrough would complete the set.

Charlton do have a not-so-secret weapon which could lead them to victory this term. They have exactly what Middlesbrough and so many more around the drop zone lack – a proven finisher. Forward Lyle Taylor has scored in their three home clashes with sides below them in the table. He’s been excellent for the Addicks this term and he’s a major part of their survival push. We see him scoring again this weekend.

Boro Woes

Middlesbrough are winless in 12 games in all competitions, last enduring a longer run between October 1981 and March 1982 (22 matches). A big part of their tough season has been some dire away form. They have lost nine of their 17 trips so far this season, while they head into this game with four losses across their last five away games.

With Charlton performing against the weaker sides in the division, we see them causing problems for Boro this weekend. The visitors’ poor away form makes them the perfect target for the Addicks, yet the hosts are really well priced going into this one. We see value in backing the home side on the Draw No Bet market here.

Charlton have kept just two clean sheets in their last 25 games in all competitions, conceding five goals across their last two game. That should allow even the low scoring visitors in this weekend, given that each of those three vital relegation six-pointers Charlton have won here have each seen the visitors score a goal. With 60% of Charlton’s home victories coming by a single goal, we’re backing a 2-1 home win.