Middlesbrough vs Oxford predictions: Hosts heading for another victory 
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- Middlesbrough are eighth in the Championship and just three points off the playoff places
- Oxford are down in 18th and just four points clear of the relegation zone
- Recommended bet: Bet Builder: Middlesbrough to win and under 3.5 goals
Labelled as doomed by many before a ball was even kicked, Oxford have been far from embarrassed in their first season in the second tier since 1999. They are, however, still just four points clear of the drop zone and embroiled in a typically hectic Championship relegation battle as they prepare to host Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have seen their January splurge begin to come good and are back in play-off contention thanks to three wins and a draw in their last five matches.
That means Saturday’s clash between Boro and the Yellows at the Riverside could have huge implications at either end of the table, although it is the hosts who are expected to prevail.
Team news
Middlesbrough’s injury crisis is showing no signs of slowing down, with Luke Ayling, George Edmundson, Darragh Lenihan, Rav van den Berg, Riley McGree, Ben Doak, Seny Dieng, Sol Brynn and Alex Bangura all sidelined and Dael Fry a doubt.
Oxford’s injury list is much shorter, with only Joe Bennett, Elliott Moore, Greg Leigh and Tom Bradshaw ruled out.
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The stats
Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last five games, while Oxford have gone nine away matches without a win.
Just one of Boro’s last eight home matches have gone over 3.5 goals.
Only three of Oxford’s 19 Championship away games have seen the ball hit the net more than three times, but Middlesbrough prevailed in a 6-2 thriller in the reverse fixture.
Prediction
While Middlesbrough’s injury crisis could put off some punters, Michael Carrick has dealt brilliantly with a dreadful situation in recent weeks, facing QPR and Luton with no fit centre-backs but coming away with four points.
Those two sides are in a similar section of the table to Oxford, suggesting Boro’s upturn in form could continue on Saturday despite their ongoing fitness woes.
Carrick’s men routed Oxford 6-2 in the reverse fixture, but while the Yellows nine-game winless run on their travels hints towards another Middlesbrough win, it is unlikely to be so convincing this time around.
Boro’s hat-trick hero from that demolition at the Kassam, Emmanuel Latte Lath, departed in January and his output has not quite been replaced as of yet, with Saturday’s hosts seeing just one of their last eight home games go over 3.5 goals.
Oxford, meanwhile, had Des Buckingham in the dugout that day but have looked far more solid at the back under his successor, Gary Rowett.
A win may evade the Yellows at the Riverside, but they are unlikely to be hit for six again and keeping things tight in defeat could go a long way in their relegation dogfight should goal difference come into play.
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