Middlesbrough vs Hull Betting Tips & Predictions

A month or so ago these two sides looked like the two most likely to clinch the automatic promotion places and both were strong odds on favourites to be in the Premier League next year. However now things are looking a little more complicated for both after some worrying results and in Boro’s case off-field turmoil.

Aitor Karanka will be back in the Middlesbrough dug-out here having been missing from last weekend’s defeat to Charlton following a dispute with the club. Such an episode couldn’t have come at much worse time with Boro desperate to secure a return to the top flight and still well placed to achieve it despite defeats to Rotherham and Blackburn already this month prior to their defeat at the Valley.

Hull’s recent slump in form can perhaps be explained to some extent by their cup exploits but they have prioritised the league in terms of team selection and it is no excuse really for their recent home draws against lowly MK Dons and an out-of-form Nottingham Forest side. They have taken just 3 points from their last 4 league outings and have slipped to 4th place, 1 point below Middlesbrough in 3rd. The winners here would go back to 2nd spot ahead of Brighton but neither side will have any games in hand left after this one so the loser would be in 4th and starting to look more like outsiders than automatic promotion favourites.

With neither side in good form, there may be a little tension around the place but Boro look the more likely winners. They can now hopefully put the Karanka episode behind them and move forward with the Spaniard re-affirming his desire to stay at the club. Their poor results have mostly been on the road and they have won their last two matches at the Riverside. Boro have only lost 1 of their last 15 at home in the league and Hull have lost 5 of their last 9 away so consider backing Middlesbrough Draw No Bet at 4/6.