Middlesbrough vs Norwich City Prediction: The teams have been very inconsistent lately

Middlesbrough is set to host Norwich City on Friday at Riverside Stadium. Will a victory against the Canaries help Boro get their campaign back on course? Who will come out on top after 90 minutes? 

Middlesbrough's consistent performance under Michael Carrick's management has been remarkable. However, it's not surprising that they started losing their focus, and they shouldn't be criticized for it. Their recent five-point haul from five matches is not up to the mark and has realistically ended their chances of challenging for automatic promotion.

Despite this setback, Middlesbrough managed to make a two-goal comeback and draw with Bristol City on Easter Monday, which has kept them six points ahead of the seventh-placed team with just five games to go. Michael Carrick would be concerned about the eight goals conceded in three games, but Boro has managed to score in 12 of their last 13 matches, failing to score only at West Bromwich Albion. The Boro are fourth in the league table with 68 points from 41 games.

With three home fixtures remaining, Boro is expected to secure a top-four finish. However, they are aware that this scenario could change if they lose to Norwich.

Steffen; Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Giles; Hackney, Howson; Forss, Akpom, Ramsey; Crooks

Despite winning only one of their last six Championship matches, the Canaries are somehow still in contention for the playoffs. Their solitary victory came against Blackburn Rovers, who are currently holding the final playoff spot, only one point ahead of Norwich. After that win, David Wagner's side played out a goalless draw against Rotherham United at home. Currently positioned at eighth in the league table with 61 points, Norwich can secure a place in the playoffs with a win.

In addition to their upcoming trip, Norwich also has a fixture against West Brom on their schedule. However, Wagner will be content with the remaining matches on their calendar. The East Anglian side is also improving defensively, having conceded only three goals in their last 540 minutes of second-tier football.

Gunn; Aarons, Omobamidele, Sorensen, McCallum; Sara, Gibbs; Marquinhos, Sargent, Hernandez; Idah

This match is challenging to predict, considering the inconsistency of both teams and the growing pressure for various reasons. However, we can give Boro a slight advantage as they regained some confidence from their previous game in which they came back from a two-goal deficit. Norwich has had mixed results away from home recently and is at risk of losing to Middlesbrough. Expect less than 2.5 goals in the game.