#midrea

Middlesbrough face Reading on Saturday, knowing that only a win is good enough to keep their hopes alive of a top six finish at the end of the season.

They come into this game on the back of their disappointing 3-0 loss on Monday, away to Nottingham Forest at the City ground.

That loss means that Derby has the advantage over Boro in the play off race, as they are both level on points- but the Rams are above Middlesbrough on goal difference with a game in hand.

Boro sit in 7th, with Derby in 6th place.

Their opponents Reading come into this game 99% safe of relegation.

This came after their impressive 0-0 draw at home to play off contenders West Bromwich Albion, which moves the Royals six points clear of Rotherham in 22nd, with only two games remaining. 

The only way the Royals can go down now is by a massive goal swing, plus Rotherham having to win both of their remaining games. This is unlikely to happen but you never know in football...

Reading only need one more point to guarantee 100% survival. They can also guarantee survival if Rotherham drop points at the weekend away to West Brom.

Recent form in the Championship for both sides

Middlesbrough-  L/W/W/W/L

Reading- L/D/W/L/L

Game Information

This game is not being televised in the UK. The best way to follow the game is by following @JonathanLow’s (Twitter) Blog on the day. Also you can listen to this game on BBC Radio Berkshire.

Team News

Middlesbrough 

Tony Pulis confirmed in his press conference this week that Stewart Downing is out of this game with a knee injury.

He joins the likes of  Dael Fry, George Friend, Dani Ayala and Lewis Wing.

Reading

Jose Gomes confirmed in his press conference yesterday that Yakou Meite and Nelson Oliveira are out for the remaining two games of the season, after both injuring themselves against West Brom on Monday.

Paul McShane and John O’Shea are unlikely to feature on the weekend, despite returning to training recently.

John Swift is still out with an injury.

Predicted Starting elevens 

Middlesbrough’s predicted starting XI (3-5-1-1)- Randolph; McNair, Flint, Shotton; Howson, Clayton, Mikel, Besic, Saville; A.Fletcher; Assombalonga.

Reading’s predicted starting XI (5-3-2)- Martinez; Gunter; McIntyre, Miazga, Moore, Yiadom; Baker, Rinomhota, Ejaria; Barrow, Loader.

Manager Comments

Middlesbrough Manager: Tony Pulis (Quotes Credit- Middlesbrough Official Twitter account

On The Easter Period;

"We were poor at Forest, there's no question about it - we didn't get going at all. After a good performance at Stoke on Friday, Monday seemed like it was too far for the players. We've got two games left, two games we have to win, and it's brilliant. It's a case of keeping them going and keeping them focused."

On The Last Two Games;

"Saturday is a must-win game and we have to be positive. We have to give it a right go and it's still all to play for. We have the opportunity and the players have to grasp it. They have to go out and there get the results we need."

On The Players;

"They've been good. There was a real disappointment after the performance on Monday (against Forest), and nobody feels that more than the players. We've got players playing out of position, we got stretched and we got pulled around."

Reading Manager: Jose Gomes (Quotes Credit- GetReading)

On his team being safe;

I believe [we are] but mathematically we are not safe.

We must respect this fact and try to do the best we can to get to the mathematically safe position.

Mood in training this week;

We've been recovering and talking about our problems and where we can find our solutions.

We must keep our focus. Even if you play 43 or 44 games very well, in the last two games if you don't put on a good display - that's the strongest one.

Sometimes football is very cruel. We must put on a good display again and finish the season well because it will be an important sign for next season.

We must be professional in the things we do and give our maximum in the next game.

Challenge of Boro;

They play a different way to West Brom and Bristol City. They and Sheffield United have the best defensive record.

It means they are extremely well organised defensively.

They have tall, physical players, fight for second balls, long balls, they are a typical Championship team who fight throughout the game.

They are very strong on the counter attack and with crosses but they have some weak points though we must use. They are doing very well, considering the way they are playing.

I’m expecting they will be a bit more open than usual.

Usually teams try something a bit more if they are playing for something in the final two games.

Planning for next season;

I'm refusing to talk about next season right now. We have been talking about the main things for a long time now and a lot of people are working on it.

But I want to keep my focus on the league and the team.

We can talk about next season at the end of this one.

Head to Head record

These two sides have met 32 times in all competitions with Middlebrough shading the head to head record. Boro have beaten Reading 13 times in all competitions over the years. There have been 10 draws in all competitions. The Royals have beaten Middlebrough 9 times in all competitions.

The most recent meeting between these two sides came earlier this season in the Championship, when a late George Friend goal gave Boro the three points at the Madejski Stadium. So a win for Middlesbrough tomorrow will mean that they do the double over Reading this season.

Interesting stats ahead of the match

1. Middlesbrough have won their last four league matches against Reading, having won just four of their previous 15 against the Royals.

2. Reading have never lost three consecutive away league visits to Middlesbrough, losing their last two by the same score (1-2 in April 2016 and February 2018).

Betting Odds/Match Predictions

Sky Bet have made Middlesbrough favourites to win this game tomorrow, with a Boro win being priced at 3/5. A draw between these two sides is being priced at 29/10. And a shock Reading win is being priced at 19/4.

My realistic predictions as a journalist for this game is a tight 1-0 win to Middlesbrough. Tony Pulis’s sides always like to grind out 1-0 wins!

My optimistic prediction as a fan for this game is a 1-0 Reading win. I hop ewe can snatch the three points in a tight game. I think that if we win 1-0, Barrow will score the goal for Reading.

Comment down below your score predictions and predicted line ups.