Middlesbrough vs Coventry verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets
Middlesbrough's Chuba Akpom
A return to the Premier League is just two wins away for both Middlesbrough and Coventry as the two sides prepare for their Championship play-off semi-final second leg.
The last two meetings between the sides both ended in draws, although that cannot be the case on Wednesday as the ticket to Wembley hangs in the balance.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
Championship play-off semi-final second leg, Wednesday May 17, Kick-off 8.00pm, live on Sky Sports
Predicted score
Suggested bets
Chuba Akpom to score and Middlesbrough to win
Both teams to score
Over 2.5 goals
Key stats
The goalless draw in the first leg marked Middlesbrough's first clean sheet since March.
Middlesbrough have won just one of their last five meetings with Coventry.
Coventry are unbeaten in nine straight away games.
Six of the last eight Championship second-leg games in the play-offs have seen both teams score.
Middlesbrough vs Coventry team news
Middlesbrough head into Wednesday's decider without Matt Clarke and Aaron Ramsey, who are battling back and ankle injuries respectively. Jonathan Howson is a doubt for Boro and may miss the second leg with a muscle injury.
Coventry, meanwhile, will be without Callum O'Hare, Kasey Palmer and Fabio Tavares.
Verdict
The opening leg of the Championship play-off semi-final between Middlesbrough and Coventry may not have been a thriller, but it certainly handed the initiative to Michael Carrick's men.
Boro have struggled to keep teams out in recent games, meaning the 0-0 draw away at Coventry was their first clean sheet since March.
With the second leg taking place at the Riverside Stadium, Carrick's side will fancy their chances of booking their ticket to Wembley.
Middlesbrough have lost two of their last 16 games at home, with Premier League high-flyers Brighton and Championship winners Burnley being the only teams to secure victories at the Riverside in 2023.
The last time Middlesbrough hosted a play-off semi-final was back in 2015 when they thrashed Brentford 3-0.
With Boro seeing 68% of their league wins this season coming by multi-goal margins, a repeat of their 2015 heroics could be on the cards.
Six of the last eight Championship second-leg games in the play-offs have seen both teams score, meaning we shouldn't expect another goalless affair.
The one major concern for Boro will be their head-to-head record against the Sky Blues.
Carrick's side have picked up just one win from their last five meetings, with Coventry securing two victories during this time.
What's more, City are unbeaten in their last nine away outings in the Championship, with their last defeat coming at West Brom back in February.
With so little to separate both teams, fine margins are likely to be decisive. Boro will be hoping to have the edge in the goalscoring department with Championship regular season golden boot winner Chuba Akpom spearheading the attack.
Akpom to score and Boro to win is our recommendation ahead of the much-anticipated semi-final decider.
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