Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Middlesbrough are looking favourites going into the game

Get ready, football fans! The Tees-Wear derby is heating up as Sunderland takes on Middlesbrough at the iconic Stadium of Light on January 22nd, 2023 at 12:00 UTC. These two powerhouse teams have already faced off once this season, but the stakes are high as they're separated by just four points in the Championship standings. Middlesbrough currently holds the fourth spot, but don't count Sunderland out just yet. The home team may be down in tenth position, but they're known for their ability to pull off a comeback and surprise their opponents. This is sure to be an intense match as both teams will be fighting for the win. Will Sunderland's home-field advantage give them the upper hand, or will Middlesbrough's consistent performance lead them to victory? Only one thing is for certain - it's going to be a thrilling game that you won't want to miss! 

For Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, any match against his former club Middlesbrough will always hold a special significance. But with Sunderland looking to bounce back from a tough 3-1 loss to Swansea City last weekend, this fixture takes on even more importance. Despite his best efforts, Mowbray may not be able to separate his emotions from the occasion as Sunderland looks to improve their home record and climb higher in the league standings. Currently sitting just three points above 15th place, the Black Cats are determined to close the gap on their opponents and build on their impressive away record.

Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Gooch; Evans, Neil; Roberts, Diallo, Clarke; Stewart

From Middlesbrough's point of view, Michael Carrick sees this as a chance to boost their push for the playoffs. Despite a rough patch where they conceded five goals against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup and only had one clean sheet in 11 games, Carrick and his team bounced back with a 1-0 win against tough opponents Millwall. Thanks to Marcus Forss' game-winning goal, Boro now sits three points ahead of seventh place and has a solid track record of victory on the road with five wins in their last six away Championship matches.

Steffen; Smith, Fry, McNair, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Forss, Akpom, McGree; Crooks

Sunderland may have been dealt a blow in their last match with an early red card, but don't count them out just yet. They're sure to bring the heat in this matchup, but Boro's superior talent is sure to shine through, solidifying their spot in the playoffs. Get ready for an action-packed match with more than 2.5 goals and a Middlesbrough to win the game.