Middlesbrough tops the season xG table and have been excellent under Michael Carrick, with good performances and results. Blackpool are ranked as the worst side since the World Cup break. They face a settled Middlesbrough side with attacking talent from all over the pitch, making it a tough challenge for Blackpool’s defence.

Middlesborough beat Blackpool 3-0 earlier in the season and are unbeaten at home in the league under Michael Carrick. They are averaging 2.6 league goals per game at the Riverside and conceding just 0.6 goals per game.

Salford City face local rival Rochdale this weekend with a chance to pick up another win. Salford have strengthened their attacking options with the addition of Louie Barry and Callum Morton from Aston Villa and Fleetwood Town. Rochdale, who are bottom of the Football League, have lost 18 of their 28 games and have the second-worst defence in the division.

Rochdale have won just once in their last eight away matches. Salford have started 2023 well at home. The supporters should be up for this derby and help spur them to victory. Salford have won all three games at home in 2023.

Atletico Madrid are barely in the top four at halfway stage of LaLiga season, but have an opportunity to improve their standing against Getafe. Historically, Atletico have dominated against Getafe, with a record of 19 wins and 3 draws in 22 meetings under their current coach, Diego Simeone. Atletico didn’t play a midweek game, and have had a full week to prepare for this match.

Getafe have lost their last five matches and are averaging just 0.8 goals per game during that run. Atletico have lost just one of their last 10 competitive matches and defended well. Their opponents are averaging just 0.4 goals per game over that period.

Borussia Monchengladbach beat Hoffenheim 4-1 last weekend. Gladbach were clinical in their 4-2-3-1 formation and midfielder Jonas Hofmann scored two goals, taking his tally to 7 goals and 5 assists in 15 Bundesliga games. Gladbach’s possession-based approach, along with Marcus Thuram’s average of 1.82 shots on target per 90, makes them strong contenders against a Schalke side that has the worst away record in the Bundesliga and has conceded 41 goals this season.

Schalke have scored just four goals in their eight Bundesliga away games. They have conceded 11 goals in their last four matches on the road and look destined for the drop. Monchengladbach are averaging 2.44 goals per game in front of their home fans. They should be able to put the visitors to the sword on Saturday.

Swansea are in 11th place in the Championship but they are in the top six in terms of xG since the World Cup. Birmingham, on the other hand, has hit a rough patch and has lost heavily in xG count in their last two away games. Martin Russel is used to dealing with a small squad and is unlikely to be impacted by the club failing to add to the squad in January.

Birmingham have conceded seven goals in their last two away matches and they are on a run of five straight defeats in the league since Christmas. The home side need to win to close the gap on the play-off places. Swansea look good value at this price.

Aston Villa had a slow start to the season under Steven Gerrard, but improved under new manager Unai Emery, winning five of seven league matches. Villa are aiming to qualify for Europe this season and a strong finish would set the foundation for next season. Currently in 11th place, they have the chance to overtake Chelsea, Liverpool, and Brentford.

Leicester have been on a torrid run of form since domestic football returned. They have lost four of their five matches and conceded 10 goals during that run. Over this period, they are averaging just 0.6 goals per game. Their opponents are averaging two.

Duncan Ferguson has taken over at Forest Green but lost on his debut. Peterborough, who are chasing the play-offs, have signed National League goal scorer Kabongo Tshimanga. Peterborough’s away results must improve for a play-off push, but they face a Forest Green side who have the worst defensive record in the league.

Forest Green are averaging just 0.67 goals per game across their last nine matches in all competitions. Their opponents are averaging two goals per game over this period. Peterborough scored four when these sides met earlier in the season and have found the net twice in their last two matches.

Stockport County plays Tranmere Rovers, with Stockport three points off the play-offs. Stockport are tough to beat at home, having signed winger Aaron Rowe on loan to bolster their attacking options. Tranmere won 1-0 in their last game. However, they have a poor away form and have only won once in their last seven away matches.

Stockport have won seven of their last 10 matches in front of their own fans. County have been solid at the back in these matches; conceding an average of just 0.5 goals per game. They face a side with just one win in their last eight on the road.