Middlesbrough vs Leicester City Prediction 24.02.2026 | Championship

After a period of sustained excellence that propelled them into the Championship’s automatic promotion spots, Middlesbrough head into this midweek clash looking to regain their clinical edge following a rare goal-shy performance.

Currently sitting second with 62 points, Kim Helberg’s side have been left frustrated in recent outings — most notably in a stalemate against relegation-threatened Oxford United. Despite an impressive 75% possession and 2.32 expected goals, Boro were unable to break through, settling for a goalless draw that did not reflect their dominance.

Since the appointment of the Swedish tactician, Middlesbrough have blossomed into one of the division’s most proactive sides, with Helberg guiding them to ten wins from his first 15 league matches at the helm. His leadership has transformed the Riverside outfit into a consistent threat in the Championship.

However, the promotion push faces challenges, with an increasingly stretched injury list testing squad depth. Defensive mainstays Alfie Jones and George Edmundson are among those sidelined, leaving Helberg to navigate this fixture with key absences.

A decade after their fairytale Premier League triumph, Leicester City now find themselves embroiled in a grueling battle for Championship survival, languishing perilously in 22nd place with 32 points to their name.

The Foxes’ survival mission suffered a seismic setback earlier this February, when a six-point deduction was imposed for breaches of the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The sanction plunged the club deep into the relegation zone and prompted the desperate appointment of former player Gary Rowett to steady the sinking ship.

Rowett’s tenure began with a rollercoaster 2-2 draw away at Stoke City on Saturday, a match where a late lapse in concentration denied him a winning start while also highlighting the fragile defensive foundations he has inherited.

As the interim boss works to plug the systemic leaks that have seen Leicester fail to keep a clean sheet in 26 consecutive Championship matches, he faces the added challenge of an extensive injury list, with no fewer than nine players currently sidelined.