Middlesbrough vs Blackpool Predictions

• Middlesbrough have won their last four home games,
• Blackpool have lost three of their last five Championship away games.
• Chuba Akpom has scored 13 goals in his last 19 appearances for Boro.

Carrick’s men can churn out another home win

Middlesbrough can extend their winning home sequence in the Championship with a fifth in a row when they face relegation-threatened Blackpool at the Riverside Stadium.

Saturday’s game is the first league game in charge for Tangerines boss Mick McCarthy, whose Sunderland connections should ensure he gets a frosty reception on Teesside.

McCarthy has been ultra-positive in his approach at Bloomfield Road so far and had no complaints about his side’s performance in their 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Southampton last weekend. He has talking up some of his attacking players in the media and addressing Blackpool’s defensive deficiencies in the transfer market.

Akpom sniffs out chances like no other at Boro

It may yet work, but their opponents this weekend are churning out wins at an incredible rate under Michael Carrick and may be too tough to take down. Boro brushed promotion rivals Watford aside easily last weekend and should again take possession of three points here.

Carrick’s team have scored multiple goals in seven of their last ten league games – a run that began with a 3-0 win at Blackpool. A similar score could ensue, but just as likely would be a 2-1 win because Blackpool appear to be buying into McCarthy’s mantra.

Chuba Akpon sniffed out his 14th Championship goal of the campaign against the Hornets last weekend and seems to be in the form of his career right ow. He can notch again and must not be ignored at odds against prices.