Bristol City vs Middlesbrough Prediction 21.02.2025 | Championship

• Competition: England - Championship
• Date: Friday, 21st, February 2025
• Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20.45 CET
• Venue: Ashton Gate Stadium (Bristol)

Bristol City and Middlesbrough, both aiming for a playoff spot, go head-to-head at Ashton Gate on Friday night in what promises to be an intense Championship battle.

Bristol City have quietly edged closer to the playoff zone after upping their form in recent times, as they have suffered just one loss in their last six Championship outings while managing to pick up a modest tally of nine points in the process. Heading into matchweek 34, Liam Manning's chosen ones are positioned in 8th position in the league standings, just two points adrift of West Bromwich Albion, who hold the final playoff ticket, meaning that a victory in Friday's clash would see the Robins temporarily surge into sixth place.

Since the turn of the calendar year, Middlesbrough have endured a troubling dip in form, managing to collect just seven points from a possible 21, a slump that also saw them crash out of the English FA Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers. A string of unexpected setbacks in the second division during 2025 has seen Michael Carrick and his squad tumble out of the playoff zone and slip all the way down to 11th place, leaving them four points adrift of the coveted spots and forcing them to seek an immediate turnaround in form.

Bristol City vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips : BRISTOL CITY TO WIN

While Boro might have the superior lineup in theory, their form tells a different story, with four straight losses in the Championship leading into this fixture, during which their backline has been repeatedly breached, shipping nine goals along the way. Even worse, there are no encouraging signs that Michael Carrick's squad can shake off the dreadful run of form haunting them, especially considering that Boro have been completely outplayed by the Robins in each of their last three meetings, including a routine 0-2 defeat in the first half of the season. Determined to strengthen their playoff push, Bristol City will rely on their strong run of results at home, having turned Ashton Gate into a fortress with five wins in their last six Championship outings on their own turf, making them a tough proposition for any visitor. Given that Boro are stuck in a rough patch, the fired-up Robins have all the tools to capitalize on the momentum, deliver another statement win in front of their home faithful and edge their way into the playoff spots with a commanding performance.