A pretty hectic period in the Sky Bet Championship concludes on Monday evening when the first Tees-Wear derby for a while takes place at the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough play host to Sunderland.
These two sides have made differing starts to the season so it will be interesting to see if this one follows the form guide or whether the derby element of the contest throws the form book out of the window as so often happens.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels with the build-up to the contest beginning at 7.30pm and kick off coming along at 8pm.
Middlesbrough
I think given that they only narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season and that they have a manager who has a decent record in this division, much was expected of Middlesbrough this term but they haven’t started the season like a team who are going to be pushing for promotion come the end of the campaign. It is still early days and this gig is probably more about how you finish than how you start but you don’t want to be too far behind the pack while you are getting going.
I think even those who could see a slow start coming from Boro wouldn’t have seen them winning only one of their opening seven matches but that is where they are at. Most of their troubles have been on the road though. They are actually unbeaten at the Riverside this season and generally had a decent record on their own patch last season as well so they will be happy in home surroundings. For all it has been a slow start to the campaign, a win here has them within four points of the top six.
Sunderland
Even by the standards of Sunderland this has been an eventful start to the season. Their first season back in the Championship was hopefully going to be devoid of activity in the early stages but that isn’t how it has played out. On the pitch they have made the sort of beginning to the campaign that they would have dreamed of with three wins, a couple of draws with a couple of defeats but off the pitch it has been a rollercoaster.
They have lost Alex Neil to Stoke which has led to Tony Mowbray taking charge and he began life as manager of the Black Cats with an emphatic 3-0 win over Rotherham in midweek. Such has been the start that Sunderland have made this season they will move into the top five with a win here. Sunderland have won twice on their travels already this term but the concern would be that when they have come up against promotion chasers in Norwich and Sheffield United this season they were beaten both times.
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Team News
Middlesbrough are set to be without on loan goalkeeper Zach Steffen and striker Chuba Akpom. The latter could mean that Matthew Hoppe could be given a chance to shine after his move from Real Mallorca earlier in the summer.
Sunderland are going to be without Dan Ballard for this match but it would appear as though Jack Clarke will be fit to feature despite leaving the win over Rotherham early. New signing Amad could make his debut.
Betting
Middlesbrough feel a little short to me for this match. I get the factor about Sunderland against the better sides in the division and I completely get that on paper Middlesbrough probably are one of them but they are not performing like that at the minute. My big concern is it has been a while since a Chris Wilder side has convinced me in front of goal and Middlesbrough haven’t kept a clean sheet all season. There is also a sense that Wilder wanted more in the building on deadline day and didn’t get them so Boro feel vulnerable here.
That record Sunderland have against the better sides in the league does concern me though so in what I expect to be a hugely competitive game the bet I like the look of here is for both teams to score. As I pointed out, Middlesbrough haven’t kept a single clean sheet this season but they have only been shut out once so there is every chance of both teams scoring here. In Ross Stewart, Sunderland carry one of the better forwards in the division but I’m not convinced Sunderland’s defence will hold up against the wave of Boro attacks. I’ll go with both teams finding the net here.
Tips
Back Both teams to score for a 3/10 stake at 1.80 with William Hill
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