Coventry vs Middlesbrough prediction 14/05/2023

• Date: 14/05/2023
• Competition: Championship, Play-offs
• KO: 12:00 UK / 13:00 CET
• Venue: The Coventry Building Society Arena (Coventry, West Midlands)

The Championship playoffs get underway on Sunday as an on-form Coventry hosts Middlesbrough less than a week on from their 1:1 draw at the Riverside.

Coventry vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips: Coventry or draw / Under 2.5 goals

Coventry comes into this semi-final first leg as the team in form, with the Sky Blues now unbeaten in each of their last seven matches while they have lost just one of their last 17 in the Championship.

Securing their place in the playoffs with a vital point on the last day of the season against Middlesbrough, another tight contest seems likely with the Sky Blues boasting a strong home record in recent months. 

At The CBS Arena, Coventry have lost just one of their last nine while they come into this match, having scored back-to-back victories against Reading and Birmingham at this venue. 

Conversely, visiting Middlesbrough arrives in the West Midlands in something of a downturn in form, having lost four and won just two of their eight most recent league contests. While ´Boro had secured their playoff place prior to recent road losses against Luton and Rotherham, Michael Carrick´s side have now lost four and won only one of their last six away from the Riverside.

Middlesbrough suffered a 1-0 defeat at the stadium at the start of October in a game that proved to be Chris Wilder’s final match at the helm. More recently, the reverse fixture at the Riverside ended in a 1-1 draw on the final day of the season last weekend. Boro doesn´t have a great record at this arena either, having won just one of their last seven away games against the Sky Blues.

Ultimately, this is a tough tie to call with Coventry on the rise but still underdogs and Middlesbrough coming somewhat off the boil but remaining favourites to progress to Wembley. With a second leg to come next week, we expect a tight contest with chances at a premium; however, given their recent run of form, the Sky Blues could hold the edge in what is sure to be a tense occasion at the Coventry Building Society Arena.