Middlesbrough vs Wigan
England – Championship
Date: Tuesday, 20 August 2019
Kick-off at 19:45 UK/ 20:k45 CET
Venue: Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough).
TEAM NEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH
Predicted lineup (4-3-3): Randolph; Dijksteel, Ayala, Shotton, Friends; Howson, Wing, McNair; Johnson, Assombalonga, Fletcher
Not Available: Fried (Injured)
Doubtful: Coulson (Injured), Gestede (Injured)
WIGAN
Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Marshall; Byrne, Dunkley, Fox, Robinson; MacLeod, Morsy; Jacobs, Evans, Naismith; Moore
Not Available: Williams (Suspended), Windass (Injured)
Doubtful: Garner (injured), Pilkington (injured)
Middlesbrough vs Wigan Athletic Stats
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last nine matches against Wigan
Wigan have won only one of their eight away matches against Middlesbrough
Under 2.5 goals have been scored in 11 of the last 12 matches between these clubs
Middlesbrough vs Wigan Athletic Match Preview
The two clubs who desperately need encouragement to meet at Teesside and especially from the point of view of Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate, this has taken the status of the match that must be won.
The former England defender was appointed as Tony Pulis's replacement this summer in his first senior managerial role and has not felt success in four matches, including the embarrassing departure of the Carabao Cup to League Two Crewe at home last week.
Boro have lost two of their three 1-0 Championship matches to sit at the foot of the early table and although Woodgate refers to "good margins" and "early days" after Saturday's defeat at Blackburn, he will realize that patience is not unlimited at the club like this.
Wigan have also had a bad start with three defeats to zero since they started with a 3-2 win at home to Cardiff, and they will also try to turn things around quickly so they can enter the September international break with a better feeling about themselves.
In fairness, on Saturday at home to Leeds promotion favorites, the Latics had to play for 70 minutes with 10 players and a red card for Joe Williams to change the game, while new target player Kieffer Moore had only found his feet since moving from Barnsley.
Basically, this is not a match where you really can trust one of the teams to win until they show they are on an upward curve, especially Middlesbrough at odds-on, and the draw is our idea of the best bet.
Middlesbrough vs Wigan Prediction
In terms of form, both teams are on the same level. This is where home excellence and the superior H2 statistics from Middlesbrough come into play. In addition, in addition to their temporary satisfaction, they have the confidence to become one of the main competitors in 2018-19.
In addition, Wigan have never won in 22 of their previous 24 away games and conceded two or more goals in six of their previous eight official meetings.
Coming to their h2h battle, Middlesbrough saved seven shocking sheets from the last nine clashes, and in the last five in this place. And most importantly, Wigan last recorded a win at this stadium more than 13 years ago.
Considering all this, the opportunity for the host to record a victory, equipped with a clean sheet is very high.
Middlesbrough vs Wigan betting tips
Middlesbrough to Win @ 1.80 (4/5)
To Win to the Nile: Middlesbrough @ 3.00 (2/1).