History of the Middlesbrough v Birmingham City fixture
Blues face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon, hoping to improve upon an average previous return from this fixture. Of the 46 games played at Boro, Blues have recorded 11 wins, and Middlesbrough have come away with 17 victories.
The most recent encounter between these two sides at The Riverside was just last season, in September 2002, Boro carving out a narrow 1 - 0 victory in a Premiership match ... view report
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click hereRecent encounters between the teams: 2003/2004 Wed 03 Mar Birmingham City 3 - 1 Middlesbrough PREM 2002/2003 Sat 26 Apr Birmingham City 3 - 0 Middlesbrough PREM 2002/2003 Sat 21 Sep Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Birmingham City PREM 1997/1998 Sat 07 Feb Birmingham City 1 - 1 Middlesbrough LD1 1997/1998 Sat 20 Sep Middlesbrough 3 - 1 Birmingham City LD1 1995/1996 Wed 20 Dec Birmingham City 2 - 0 Middlesbrough LC 1995/1996 Wed 29 Nov Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Birmingham C. LC
Recent respective form guides
Middlesbrough have lost just once in their last six home games, winning four and drawing the other one. A total of 10 goals have been scored by Boro in those games, with 7 conceded.
In complete contrast to Middlesbrough, Blues are having a frustrating time on their travels, collecting 4 draws from the last six contests. While the Blues have hit 4 goals, 8 have hit the back of the wrong net.
Middlesbrough see themselves just below half way in the Barclaycard Premiership, showing a record of 34 points from their 28 games played so far, Blues' 42 points from 28 games sees them lie inside the top half of the table, in 7th position.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click hereCurrent form guides: P W D L F A Middlesbrough 6 3 0 3 8 9 Birmingham City 6 2 2 2 8 7
Prediction ...
Boro will be keen to avenge the 3-1 defeat at St. Andrews earlier this month and although the Blues have been none too clever on the road in recent matches I can see them taking a point at The Riverside. No Score DrawSequence statistics: Middlesbrough 5 games since last home draw.
Not drawn a match in their last 11 .Birmingham City Previous 4 away games have finished all-square.
Not won in previous 6 away matches.
Team News ...
Blues are without midfielder Robbie Savage who begins a two game ban and defender Olivier Tebily who has a back injury.
Blues Squad (Probable): Maik Taylor, Grainger, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Upson, Johnson, Clemence, Carter, Cisse, Hughes, Lazaridis, Morrison, Forssell, Bennett, John, Motterham.
Boro Squad (Probable): Schwarzer, Mills, Southgate, Ehiogu, Queudrue, Mendieta, Doriva, Juninho, Greening, Job, Maccarone, Jones, Riggott, Nemeth, Ricketts, Downing.
