Middlesbrough’s encouraging 5-match unbeaten run in the championship was brought to an end by high-flying Fulham at Craven Cottage last Friday night but this was no disgrace for Jonathan Woodgate’s side as their improvement was still evident in that clash.
Middlesbrough now return to their Riverside Stadium for their Tuesday night clash with Birmingham City as the hosts no doubt seek to rekindle the kind of recent upturn in form which saw Boro claim vital wins in the Championship against Stoke City, Huddersfield Town, West Brom and Preston North End.
Results on home turf at their Riverside Stadium have also taken a dramatic turn for the better too as Boro have won 4 of their last 5 matches at home and overall bring an unbeaten run of 7 matches into this Tuesday night encounter.
There's no place like home, and we can’t wait to be back at the Riverside on Tuesday 🏠🏟️Get your tickets 🔴 🆚🔵 #UTB⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/1MVAZdFwdT— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 19, 2020
There's no place like home, and we can’t wait to be back at the Riverside on Tuesday 🏠🏟️Get your tickets 🔴 🆚🔵 #UTB⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/1MVAZdFwdT
The hosts will therefore be understandably upbeat about their chances despite being up against a Birmingham City outfit who have suffered just 1 defeat on their travels in recent times.
It’s worth pointing out at this stage that Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last 5 meetings at home against Birmingham City, winning 4 of these 5 clashes.
Birmingham City saw another potential three points slip through their fingers on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Cardiff City at St Andrews which makes it just 1 win now from their last 8 matches overall in the Championship.
That one success came in the shape of a 2-1 win away from home at Championship strugglers, Luton Town, but defeats to QPR, West Brom, Hull City, Leeds United and Wigan Athletic have made the second half of the season a worrying period for Blues fans.
However, Birmingham do have a glimmer of hope taken from recent performances and results away from home in the second tier as the west midlands club have lost just 1 of their last 6 matches on their travels, being a 3-0 loss at Hull City.
Wins on the road though at Reading and Luton Town will give the visitors belief that they can get something from this trip up to the north-east on Tuesday night as Birmingham look to pull further away from the relegation zone.
To sum up, despite losing last time out away at 3rd placed Fulham, Middlesbrough look the more likely to grab the points here against an inconsistent looking Birmingham City side.