Middlesbrough (H) Prediction Thread

[URZZZZZ]

I'm not sure if Vydra is injured. Im hoping SC is cleaver enough to have rested Vydra from the Burnley game with the intention of using SA and Vydra for this Saturday which should suit them both being high tempo and more technical than the Burnley match. If so then I'll go for a Reading win 2-1. If the pair don't play together I'll go for 1-1 draw.

By Charles Watts | 29/09/15

Matej Vydra and Stephen Quinn look likely to miss Saturday’s top of the table clash with Middlesbrough.

Both players missed last weekend’s win at Burnley through injury and fans were hoping they would return in time to face the Teesiders.

But Reading boss Steve Clarke believes it is unlikely that either will recover in time to be involved at Madejski Stadium.

On Vydra, he said: “It’s going to be reasonably short term. He damaged his knee against Bristol City.

“He didn’t make Burnley and if I were to put a figure on it I would say he is probably about 25 per cent to be ready for Middlesbrough.

“So it’s more likely that he should be back to 100 per cent after the international break.”

On Quinn, Royals’ boss added: “Stephen is similar. He picked up a knock two or three games ago.

“He showed typical character and determination to play through it but in training last week it started to get a bit too much.

“So he dropped out and will also be doubtful for Middlesbrough. He’s probably got even less of a chance than Vydra to be honest.

“But hopefully after the international break they will both be available.”

[Platypuss]

Im hoping SC is cleaver enough to have rested Vydra from the Burnley game..

He's been pretty sharp so far so I'm sure we'll have a decent cutting edge.

[tee peg]

HRK Getting in to his stride. 2-0 HRK + Gunter.

[MoorgateRoyal]

I have a feeling we could win this one.

I don't know who will score, or what the scoreline will be. But I think we'll win it.

[LWJ]

6 - 2

'Boro to go 3 -0 down within 20 minutes and pull 2 back either side of HT. John to come off the bench and score a hat-trick between 75-90 minutes.

[genome]

Reading 37-0 Middlesbrough

Blackman (2, 4, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19, 22, 24, 27, 28, 32, 35, 36, 40, 44, 52, 54, 55, 57, 59, 62, 65, 66, 70, 72, 73, 76, 80, 81, 84, 85, 88, 89, 90+1, 90+3)

[Snowball]

I see most are saying Brighton have so far had an easy run (weak opposition)

Looks pretty much the same for Middlesboro, who have played 5 of the now bottom six
in their first 9 league games


Current League Position of Opponents

8, 10, 11, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24



A 0-0 Preston (22)
A 1-1 Derby (8)
A 3-1 Wednesday (11)
A 2-1 Notts Forest (10)

H 3-0 Bolton (21)
H 0-1 Bristol City (24)
H 2-0 MK Dons (23)
H 3-1 Brentford (19)
H 3-0 Leeds (14)

[floyd__streete]

1-0 Reading.

[maffff]

I see most are saying Brighton have so far had an easy run (weak opposition)

Looks pretty much the same for Middlesboro, who have played 5 of the now bottom six
in their first 9 league games


Current League Position of Opponents

8, 10, 11, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24



A 0-0 Preston (22)
A 1-1 Derby (8)
A 3-1 Wednesday (11)
A 2-1 Notts Forest (10)

H 3-0 Bolton (21)
H 0-1 Bristol City (24)
H 2-0 MK Dons (23)
H 3-1 Brentford (19)
H 3-0 Leeds (14)

Of the first 9 games, the average current league position of opponents are;

Team Average
Brighton 13.78
Middlesbrough 16.89
Reading 13.44
Hull 13.22
Cardiff 13.89
Burnley 13.11
Ipswich 12.11
Derby 13.00
Birmingham 12.63
Nottingham Forest 11.33
Sheffield Wednesday 12.11
QPR 13.11
Fulham 10.75
Leeds 11.44
Huddersfield 11.22
Wolves 12.50
Charlton 12.00
Blackburn 11.56
Brentford 11.13
Rotherham 12.44
Bolton 11.56
Preston 13.67
MK Dons 11.67
Bristol City 11.11

So basically it's negligible between us, Brighton, Hull (who have had it tougher), Cardiff and Burnley (who have had it tougher..). The four sat just outside the playoffs have had it tougher than us too , especially Forest.

Of the top 10 we've had the 4th easiest start...

[Dr_Hfuhruhurr]

What are you basing the first game on?
Alphabetical order?

[Snowball]

Nice stats. Here they are in order

TOUGHEST

10.75 Fulham

11.11 Bristol City
11.13 Brentford
11.22 Huddersfield
11.33 Forest
11.44 Leeds
11.56 Bolton
11.56 Blackburn
11.67 MK Dons

12.00 Charlton
12.11 Ipswich
12.11 Wednesday
12.44 Rotherham
12.50 Wolves
12.63 Birmingham

13.00 Derby
13.11 Burnley
13.11 QPR
13.22 Hull
13.44 Reading <<<<<
13.67 Preston
13.78 Brighton
13.89 Cardiff

16.89 Middlesbrough

"EASIEST"

[Nameless]

Never too sure when this particular stat becomes valid.
Obviously when the sample size is small it's a self fulfilling thing. On day 1 the team at the top and bottom must have played each other and it's nothing to do with easy fixtures.
Also at This stage teams move positions quickly. So when we played Ipswich we were an 'easy' fixture, now we are a tough one.
I guess like with many stats treat with caution but take what you can. No doubt for the posters smarter than me the amount you can rely on this is obvious.

[Maguire]

Obviously Boro are a good side and they're further along in their evolution than we are [teamwise] so I expect them to provide a really solid test. I like Friend as a player.

Can't see a lot of goals in this one so I'm saying 0-0

(cue: 3-3)

[sandman]

3-1 Reading

Sa x2
John

Bond OG

Reading have too much pace and run Boro ragged in the second half after a tight first half in which both teams score.

[scumbag]

Reading 2 - 0 'Boro
Quinn
Vydra

[maffff]

Never too sure when this particular stat becomes valid.
Obviously when the sample size is small it's a self fulfilling thing. On day 1 the team at the top and bottom must have played each other and it's nothing to do with easy fixtures.
Also at This stage teams move positions quickly. So when we played Ipswich we were an 'easy' fixture, now we are a tough one.
I guess like with many stats treat with caution but take what you can. No doubt for the posters smarter than me the amount you can rely on this is obvious.

It's just interesting (to me at least) how Boro don't seem to fit along the same tangent as other teams around them, it's a small sample and by having success they will therefore be contributing towards pushing other teams down the table, but it shows that the teams they have been playing are on average now lower down the table than most of the teams around them have played.

They look strong and are where they are on merit, but when they go reeling out stats like

Boro have
- Scored the most
- Conceded the fewest
& Have the best goal difference in all four divisions.

it adds in a dimension for me to think how much of that is based on the opposition. I also wanted to look into the point of X/Y/Z team around us have had an 'easier' start in comparison.

They should be right up there at the end. Have one of the best first teams in the league and it looks like some decent depth in their squad too.

[SCIAG]

This 'boro side reminds me of our team of 10 years ago in many ways. Really dangerous down the flanks and focus on getting balls into the box for the strikers.

Hopefully home advantage will see us through. 2-0 Reading.

No shame in losing this one, particularly without Vydra.

[Lower West]

Piazon the bench.

HRK switches to the left with Sa returning.

[janesdaddy]

The match against Middlesbrough on the opening day of the 2006/07 season was my first live game at the MadStad (I'd just moved to Whitley after living in the United States for 10 years). It was a fantastic match, where we came from 1-2 down to win 3-2, so I always enjoy it when we beat them. I think we will on Saturday, too, even if it's only by one goal. I think it'll be a 2-1 home win.

[SpaghettiHoop]

Never forgive Boro for clogging Kitson in that game