Middlesbrough vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Riverside StadiumAttendance29,763.
Saturday 29 April 2017 20:29, UK
Manchester City are likely to be without goalkeeper Claudio Bravo for Sunday's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough (kick-off 2.05pm).
There are fears the Chile international may not play again this season after he suffered a calf injury in Thursday's goalless draw with Manchester United.
Willy Cabellero is likely to deputise for Bravo at the Riverside Stadium as City look to strengthen their claim for a top-four finish with a victory that will edge Boro closer to relegation.
Middlesbrough gave themselves with a fighting chance of avoiding the drop with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland last time out, leaving them six points from safety.
With just four games left for Steve Agnew's to secure their top-flight status, securing back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since May 2008 would offer a timely boost to Boro's survival bid.
Team news
Middlesbrough have doubts over Daniel Ayala, Victor Valdes and Grant Leadbitter ahead of their contest with Manchester City on Sunday.
Defender Ayala was withdrawn in the win over Sunderland in midweek having twisted his ankle and is rated as doubtful, as are goalkeeper Valdes (ribs) and midfielder Leadbitter (hamstring) - both of whom were not in the squad on Wednesday.
Boro do have Gaston Ramirez available again following the suspension he served for his dismissal against Bournemouth.
Uncertainty remains over City playmaker David Silva (hamstring) and centre-back John Stones (leg) but right-back Bacary Sagna is fit again. Striker Gabriel Jesus, a late substitute against United after more than two months out with a broken foot, will hope to step up his comeback.
Opta stats
Middlesbrough have lost only one of their 10 Premier League matches at home to Manchester City (W7 D2 L1), including an 8-1 demolition of the Citizens in May 2008.
Manchester City have won three of their last five meetings with Middlesbrough in all competitions (D1 L1), including in the FA Cup in January (2-0).
Sergio Aguero has scored in both games against Middlesbrough in all competitions this season.
Aguero comes into this game having attempted nine shots without scoring in the midweek Manchester derby - equalling his own personal record for the most without a goal in a Premier League appearance.
Manchester City have already won more away games this season (11) than in any previous Premier League season, and a point in this match would set a new away points record in a single PL campaign for the club (currently 34 - the same as in 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2014-15).
Middlesbrough won their midweek Premier League game against bottom of the league side Sunderland (1-0) - they haven't followed up any of their previous 11 wins in the competition with another victory.
The Riverside Stadium has seen the fewest goals scored (33) and the fewest shots on target attempted (109) of any Premier League ground in 2016-17.
Manchester City have won just two of their last seven Premier League matches (W2 D4 L1).
Man City have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League fixtures against a team in the relegation zone on the day of that match (W12 D7 L1).
Merson's prediction
Middlesbrough have to go for it and so do Manchester City. Unfortunately for Boro, I think that spells trouble for them.
They have given themselves a chance with their win over Sunderland and if they somehow fluke a result against City, they are right back in the survival picture.
It's a big ask, though, and I don't see it happening. All City have left is the top four so this is huge.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Betting
Manchester City are Sky Bet's 2/7 favourites for the victory with Middlesbrough 9/1 despite home advantage and 9/2 just to secure a draw. Even longer odds are stacked against Steve Agnew's men to avoid the drop, with Sky Bet giving them a 100/1 chance of staying up, while City are 13/2 to miss out on a top-four finish. Sergio Aguero (5/2) just edges Gabriel Jesus (11/4) in the first goalscorer betting while Alvaro Negredo (8/1) is considered the hosts' main threat
