Bolton vs Middlesbrough Predictions

It’s rare that Bolton head into a clash against a side who are in worse form than them. However, this week brings Middlesbrough to the University of Bolton Stadium, with the visitors on a six-game losing run. That’s obviously good news for the Trotters, although the hosts might want to be wary. They had another big chance handed to them at the weekend, something they made a complete mess of.

The hosts were beaten 2-1 by bottom side Ipswich at home at the weekend, a result which has all but relegated the Trotters. There are only six games remaining, while Bolton sit eight points shy of safety. That’s far too big an ask, while the hosts could end up even closer to the drop after Tuesday’s clash. Last week saw their players on strike due to unpaid wages, limiting their training time ahead of a crucial few days in their season.

Middlesbrough have been on a losing run, but Tony Pulis has met a torrid run of fixtures. The visitors were beaten 3-1 by Swansea last time out, as the Welsh side won their fifth straight home game. Before that, they went down to sixth-placed Bristol City, fifth-placed Aston Villa and league leaders Norwich City. Those games shouldn’t have too much of a bearing on this trip to the league’s second-worst side.

Middlesbrough do have a better record on their travels than they do at home, so they should have confidence going into this one. The visitors have won eight times on their travels, losing only five of their trips. Boro have lost only once away to the bottom 10, while the visitors come here desperate for the points as they look to return to the top six. Will they be able to end their losing streak here?

In 10 home meetings with top half sides, Bolton have been beaten eight times. They have avoided defeat in just four of their 20 clashes with the top 12 overall, so we can see another defeat here for the Trotters. Boro have won seven of the previous eight meetings between these two teams, so they should be confident of gaining three points in their visit to the University of Bolton Stadium. With so many problems hanging over the heads of the struggling hosts, we have to back against them. We’re going with Middlesbrough to win, while we’re also predicting a 1-0 victory for the visitors.