Boro lost 3-0 at Chelsea over the weekend, that was their first defeat in 9 starts since the turn of the year, during which, they have scored 19 goals.
That result flattered the Londoners a little and earlier matches like the 1-1 draw with Arsenal and the 5 goal thumping of Bolton, who are undefeated since, give a better guide to current form.
In the original game at Ashton Gate, which ended 2-2, Boro stormed into an early two goal lead and missed many chances to put the game, out of sight. It was the archetypal game of two halves, as a different City took the field in the second half and turned the match on it's head.
Hopefully, Gareth Southgate's side will have learned a lot from that and will not make the same mistakes again. They will be stronger tonight, with the inclusion of George Boateng and Mark Viduka, who missed the first match, where Boro enjoyed 59% possession.
City have gone off the boil after a very long unbeaten run (18 matches), they are without a win in 4 and have only scored once in their last 3. They have 5 senior, established players, unavailable tonight and must feel that they have other, more important games ahead. City sit just 5 points off an automatic promotion spot and have a "six pointer " with Blackpool at the weekend. To say nothing of the two Bristol derby games, just around the corner.
It goes without saying that Boro are my choice, but the odds are very low, so my selection is for another fast start and the Premiership team to lead at both half and full time.
4 points HT/FT Middlesbrough-Middlesbrough 2.16 Betfair.
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