Middlesbrough have struggled to create any momentum over recent weeks, making this a more complicated fixture than it would have been a few weeks ago. Middlesbrough were fighting alongside Coventry for the title a few months ago, but have since welcomed Hull and Ipswich in the race for the second automatic promotion spot, with Coventry pulling away.
This is just as important a game for Portsmouth, who are fighting to survive in the Championship with just one point keeping them above the drop zone. Portsmouth do have a game in hand, and should take confidence from their 1-0 win over Middlesbrough earlier in the season. Portsmouth have seen BTTS in four of their last five matches across all competitions, though have failed to win any of these games - most recently drawing 2-2 with Oxford United.
I think Portsmouth can get on the scoresheet here. They haven’t been winning games, but they have been creating and taking chances, which can unsettle a Boro side who are not playing with the same confidence they had when Kim Hellberg first took over.
