Middlesbrough vs Coventry

It's all to play for at the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough and Coventry enter the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final with the tie locked at a stalemate.

These two sides have played out a couple of draws in their recent meetings, although Michael Carrick must've felt his Boro outfit did more than enough to claim victory away from home in the first leg.

Their performance should breed a ton of confidence heading into the crucial second leg after a difficult run of form, but another tight and tense affair seems inevitable.

Here's everything you need about the game.

Country

TV Channel/Broadcaster

United Kingdom

Sky Sports Football, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event

United States

ESPN+

Canada

DAZN

Boro were boosted by the returns of Dael Fry and Marcus Forss to the matchday squad on Sunday, and the latter could return to Carrick's starting XI after earning minutes off the bench last time out.

However, Isaiah Jones proved a threat in the first leg and Carrick may want to stick with the converted full-back down the right flank.

Aaron Ramsey and Jonny Howson are both doubts for the hosts, but the latter is likely to get the nod ahead of Alex Mowatt if available.

Middlesbrough predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Steffen; Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Forss, Akpom, McGree; Archer.

Star midfielder Gustavo Hamer has picked up a couple of knocks in recent weeks and his status for the second leg is in question after he sustained a knee injury on Sunday.

While Hamer's issue isn't thought to be serious as he played out the entire contest, Mark Robins' hand may be forced on Wednesday night. Hamer could join Callum O'Hare, Kasey Palmer, and Fabio Tavares on the sidelines.

Coventry predicted lineup (3-5-2): Wilson; McNally, Doyle, McFazdean; Norton-Cuffy, Hamer, Kelly, Allen, Bidwell; Godden, Gyokeres

Middlesbrough are winless in four, but they'll undoubtedly be favoured to get the job done in front of their home fans on Wednesday night.

The Championship's two leading marksmen, Chuba Akpom and Viktor Gyokeres, have each been tamed in the two recent meetings, and surely we can't go a third successive game without either player getting on the scoresheet. Gyokores, however, will undoubtedly need better service than he did in the first leg.

Boro's recent indifference means they'll need their supporters to be in full voice on Wednesday, and ultimately, their home advantage renders it difficult to bet against them. Carrick's men lost just three times in 23 games at the Riverside all season.