Middlesbrough vs Coventry City Prediction: Middlesbrough have lost their last two games

Middlesbrough is set to host Coventry City on Monday at Riverside Stadium. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes? 

Middlesbrough has found themselves in a unique situation recently, as they have secured their top-four position with games to spare in the regular season. Due to this, team selection has been altered by manager Michael Carrick, which could be the reason for their recent back-to-back defeats. In their last match, Rotherham United secured a 1-0 victory and second-tier survival against Carrick's team, who were unable to dominate the game as they have in previous matches. After receiving the Championship's Player of the Year award, Chuba Akpom will be hoping to reach a significant milestone of 30 league goals in the final regular-season game against Coventry by scoring a brace. Middlesbrough is seen as one of the favourites heading into the playoffs next week in a widely contested playoff race, as they look to end their six-year stay in the Championship.

Steffen; Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Bola; Barlaser, Hackney; Jones, Akpom, McGree; Archer

Coventry City is currently one of the strongest teams competing for a spot in the playoffs, having stretched their unbeaten run to six matches by defeating Birmingham City 2-0 last weekend. Josh Eccles gave Coventry the lead in the third minute, while Viktor Gyokeres made no mistake from the penalty spot to net his 21st goal of the campaign. The team's owner Doug King has a five-year plan to get the club back to the Premier League, and Coventry's promotion push this season feels ahead of schedule.

Coventry needs just one point to guarantee a top-six finish this season, and a win against Middlesbrough on Monday would set up a semi-final encounter with the latter team starting from next Sunday. The team is confident of securing a result on Teesside, having remained unbeaten in their last eight away trips from the CBS Arena. The unpredictable nature of the Championship this season gives Coventry a good chance to return to the top tier of English football.

Wilson; McNally, McFadzean, Doyle; Norton-Cuffy, Eccles, Kelly, Hamer, Bidwell; Gyokeres, Godden

Middlesbrough have lost their last two games and have only won two of their previous seven matches, but they have had a good record at home this season and will be eager to play on Monday. Meanwhile, Coventry has won their last two games and is unbeaten in their last six matches. They have also been undefeated in their last eight away games and are expected to secure at least a point in this fixture. Expect a high scoring game with Coventry going all out to secure atleast one point.