Middlesbrough will be aiming to pull themselves further away from the Championship relegation zone when they take on managerless Bristol City at the Riverside Stadium.<\/p>\n
With four games to go until the season\u2019s end, the Boro are still at risk of falling into League One.<\/p>\n
Neil Warnock has had a mixed start to his tenure as Middlesbrough manager, after replacing Jonathan Woodgate in the role towards the end of June<\/a>. Since the 71-year-old took charge, they have picked up six points from four matches, courtesy of wins against Stoke City and Millwall. However, there were two straight defeats suffered in between those victories.<\/p>\n Strikers Britt Assombalonga<\/a> and Ashley Fletcher<\/a> stepped up to the mark at The Den with a goal each to dent Millwall\u2019s play-off ambitions, but most importantly to lift Warnock\u2019s men out of the drop zone. Ahead of the Robins\u2019 visit to the Riverside, Boro sit on 47 points, two clear of 22nd placed Hull City.<\/p>\n Bristol City did Middlesbrough a big favour in midweek, as they defeated Hull 2-1 at Ashton Gate, ending a run of nine league games without a win. Such a downturn in form resulted in Lee Johnson being sacked as head coach<\/a> prior to the meeting with the Tigers, after over four years in the position.<\/p>\n Currently in caretaker charge of the Robins is Dean Holden, who is likely to remain in the post until the end of the season. A late push for the top six is still mathematically possible, as Holden\u2019s side are six points adrift with four games left. However, in reality, it is very unlikely that they will be able to make the play-offs, as there are several other teams in a stronger position.<\/p>\n When these two sides met in August last year, they played out a 2-2 draw. Middlesbrough overturned a one-goal deficit to go 2-1 in front in the second half.\u00a0 Robins winger Tommy Rowe<\/a> then netted with nine minutes of normal time left to ensure it ended all square.<\/p>\n Robins defender Ashley Williams<\/a> will miss the trip to the North East as he serves the third game of a four-match suspension. Pedro Pereira<\/a> and Niki Maenpaa<\/a> are both also unavailable through injury.<\/p>\n Middlesbrough\u2019s only injury concern is Spanish defender Daniel Ayala<\/a>, who has not played since New Year\u2019s Day due to a problem with his ankle.<\/p>\n Middlesbrough were under big pressure to get a result in their most recent game against Millwall and they handled it very well, which is a good sign as they approach another crucial clash.<\/p>\n While Bristol City produced a good performance to see off Hull at Ashton Gate in midweek, Warnock\u2019s Boro should provide a sterner test. The Robins have collected a decent 29 points on the road so far this term, but their last away victory was on February 1.<\/p>\n Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Bristol City<\/strong><\/p>\n Main PhotoPrevious Meeting<\/h2>\n
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Prediction<\/h2>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>