Middlesbrough vs Birmingham City Prediction: Boro are on a four game winning run in the Championship before the break

Middlesbrough will welcome Birmingham City at Riverside Stadium in Game Week 12 of the English Championship. Boro are on a four game winning run in the Championship before the break. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

After an impressive performance last season led by Michael Carrick, Middlesbrough supporters didn't anticipate a rough start to this season with seven winless games. However, things have taken a turn for the better at the Riverside Stadium with four consecutive victories. The most noteworthy of these wins was against Sunderland in the Teesside Derby, where Sam Greenwood, Matt Crooks, Isaiah Jones, and Marcus Forss all scored, resulting in Boro's largest victory since their 5-1 triumph over Norwich City in April. When Middlesbrough found themselves in the relegation zone in September, doubts arose about whether Carrick's team could handle the absence of attacking talents Chuba Akpom, Cameron Archer, and Aaron Ramsey. However, their last two matches, which ended with clean sheets, have demonstrated that Boro has discovered alternative ways to succeed in the league. Currently placed 16th in the Championship, Middlesbrough have collected a respectable 14 points from their first 11 matches, keeping the four-point gap to sixth-placed Birmingham within reach. With the departure of last season's leading goal scorer Akpom to Ajax, Carrick has relied on the different strengths of Emmanuel Latte Lath and Josh Coburn in the central-striking position, carefully selecting the appropriate player for each matchup.

Dieng; Smith, Fry, McNair, Engel; Barlaser, Hackney, Jones, Crooks, Greenwood; Coburn

Birmingham City will embark on a new chapter at the Riverside Stadium this Saturday following the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager. The former Manchester United legend has signed a contract for three-and-a-half years and is tasked with implementing a fearless playing style at a club that has faced uncertainty in the past decade.

There were questions about the timing of John Eustace's sacking as Birmingham had recently enjoyed consecutive home victories over Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion. However, it is widely believed that the club's new ownership had been planning to bring in a high-profile manager since the summer.

Looking back at images of Eustace celebrating a goal in their previous match against West Brom, it seems likely that he was aware of his impending departure before the game started. The owner, Tom Wagner, and his team were reportedly unimpressed with recent performances against Watford and Norwich.

Rooney is taking charge of a talented Birmingham City dressing room, possibly the most talented since their first season back in the Championship in 2011. Players like Siriki Dembele and Jay Stansfield have shown promise in the second tier this season.

With 18 points from 11 matches, Rooney takes charge of a team currently sitting in sixth place in the league standings. Expectations have risen significantly since his arrival, so not making it to the playoffs in May would be seen as a disappointment.

Ruddy; Drameh, Sanderson, Long, Longelo; Bielik, Sunjic, Bacuna, Miyoshi, Dembele; Stansfield

Middlesbrough aims to continue their successful streak after the international break, and under Carrick's leadership, they are anticipated to win their sixth consecutive match across all competitions. Birmingham, equipped with a new manager and innovative strategies, will face close examination for their performance at the Riverside Stadium. Yet, we predict that Rooney's debut as coach will result in a commendable draw for Birmingham. Taking double chance on away side with new manager will be a way to go. Expect over 2.5 goals in the game.