Following last season’s playoff final defeat to Hull City, Middlesbrough will be determined to avoid leaving their Premier League ambitions to the uncertainty of the playoffs once again. The hosts have their sights firmly set on securing automatic promotion with a top-two finish, making Saturday’s clash with Cardiff City an important opportunity to strengthen their campaign. Middlesbrough possible starting lineup: Vitek; Ayling, Phillips, Malanda; Brittain, Berhalter, Morris, Borges; Cozier-Dubbery, Sarmiento, Lankshear. Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Trott; Ng, Fish, Osho, Bagan; Robertson, Tanner, Ashford, Moylan, Willock; Robinson. Middlesbrough have good reason to approach the contest with confidence, having last suffered a home defeat at the Riverside in April. With home advantage and their determination to secure automatic promotion, they will be aiming to deliver a strong performance and claim all three points against Cardiff City on Saturday. This is my free tip as
ENG LCH
1x2
Middlesbrough
vs
Cardiff City