Two sides that could meet one another in the first round of the Championship play-offs meet on Monday as Middlesbrough face Coventry City.
Middlesbrough currently sit 4th in the Championship with twenty-two wins, eight draws and fifteen losses from forty-five games this season.
Boro have had a fine campaign after a dreadful start to the season as they look ahead to the play-offs.
They're confirmed to be in the postseason and their first round play-off opponents could well end up being Coventry if results fall right, so this game could act as a window into the dynamics of that matchup.
Boro enter this game amidst a mixed run of form having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches in the league.
Their most recent game saw them fall to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Rotherham United after being reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time.
Their home form is much more encouraging however, with Michael Carrick's side winning three of their last four games on home soil.
Middlesbrough are locked into 4th so nothing can change this weekend and as a result they may not be at their best given their motivation won't be as high as it could be. Still, they should want to go into the play-offs off the back of a win to help drive some momentum at a crucial point in the season.
Coventry City currently sit 5th in the Championship with eighteen wins, fifteen draws and twelve losses from forty-five games this season.
The Sky Blues have had an excellent campaign in the Championship and are now on the brink of play-off qualification, a feat that would be an outstanding achievement for the club.
Coventry were rock bottom of the league table after ten games but a miraculous turnaround has seen them rise steadily up the table to a point where they are one one game from securing a top six finish.
Even if they avoid defeat here they are in the play-offs, but if they lose and Sunderland win then The Black Cats could usurp them on goals scored.
Similarly, but less likely, West Bromwich Albion could leapfrog Coventry if they win and The Sky Blues lose proving there is a five goal swing in terms of goal difference.
All a bit complex, but Coventry's destiny is in their own hands and they enter this game in excellent form having won three and drawn one of their last four matches.
Luckily for Coventry, Middlesbrough are likely to play a weakened side here given nothing is on the line for them so The Sky Blues should manage to avoid defeat here.
For our Middlesbrough vs. Coventry prediction, we're going for a 1-1 draw.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our previews, tips and offers for this weekend’s action.
