Middlesbrough – Birmingham

Middlesbrough host Birmingham in what promises to be a tightly contested fixture, with the home side perched in fifth place on 13 points after four wins, a draw and a single loss, boasting a +4 goal difference (12‑8). Birmingham sit ninth, three points behind, having collected ten points from two victories, four draws and one defeat, and they enter the game with a slender +1 margin (10‑9). The gap between the two clubs is narrow enough that a win could propel Birmingham into the top‑seven chase, while Middlesbrough will be keen to consolidate their position ahead of the final stretch of the season. Their head‑to‑head record this campaign has yet to be decided, adding an extra layer of intrigue to a match that could see the standings shift dramatically.