Middlesbrough vs Queens Park Rangers Prediction: Both sides have not started the season they hoped

Middlesbrough will welcome Queens Park Rangers at Riverside Stadium in Gameweek 5 of the English Championship. Both sides have not started the season they hoped. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Despite their loss in the playoffs last season, Middlesbrough entered this season with momentum and hope to improve their performance. However, they find themselves near the bottom of the table with only one point from four games, which came against Huddersfield Town, another struggling team. Although they managed to come from behind and defeat Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup, their manager, Michael Carrick, needs to see that same form in the league. So far, Boro has not been able to keep a clean sheet in any of their six matches, although four of those games were played away from their home stadium. In their matches against Millwall and Huddersfield at home, they have only conceded one goal per game, which is a small positive amidst a discouraging past few weeks on the field.

Dieng; McNair, Fry, Lenihan, Engel; Howson, Hackney; Silvera, Rogers, McGree; Lath

Since their away victory at Cardiff City in the second weekend of the season, QPR has been unable to make progress. However, manager Gareth Ainsworth should not dwell on their narrow defeats to Norwich City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton, as the team is still a work in progress. Despite staying competitive with these teams who have a strong record in the Championship this season, Ainsworth understands the importance of securing points as soon as possible. QPR has only scored one goal in their last 295 minutes of play, and they have only managed three goals in their six most recent competitive fixtures since the end of the previous season.

Begovic; Smyth, Kakay, Cook, Fox, Paal; Dozzell, Colback, Field, Chair; Armstrong

The mounting pressure on both managers adds significance to this upcoming match for various reasons. Although we anticipate QPR to perform well, our prediction is that Boro will secure their first victory, possibly with a late goal. Expect over 2.5 goals in the game.