The Championship title race is really hotting up and there is now only one point separating Leeds United in first and Burnley in third following the Clarets' stunning 2-0 win over second-placed Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day.
The Lancastrians had looked in danger of falling behind the pace of that Yorkshire pair, but a brilliant run of form has seen Scott Parker get his side right back in the mix, so the Clarets boss will be feeling confident of keeping pursuit by beating Middlesbrough on Sunday.
Boro have suffered two disappointing 3-3 draws in their last two matches and it is hard to have faith in Michael Carrick’s side currently, with Parker fancied to get one over his former England teammate.
Burnley draw no bet - 6/5
The Teessiders were left frustrated before Christmas as they were pegged back three times at Plymouth Argyle, the Championship’s basement boys, and forced to settle for a 3-3 draw at Home Park.
Carrick and Co. would have left Devon kicking themselves and it seems none of their Christmas wishes were granted as they squandered a three-goal lead to eventually draw 3-3 with Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.
Boro will be keen to bounce back from that pair of disappointing results sooner rather than later, but a visit from title-chasing Burnley is unlikely to provide any much-needed festive cheer for Sunday’s hosts, who now sit outside the play-off spots.
The Clarets extended their unbeaten run to 10 with a stunning 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Boxing Day.
The Blades had won their previous nine home matches without conceding a single goal, so for Burnley to rock up and secure a 2-0 victory is a real show of strength.
That success also made it four away wins in a row for Burnley, suggesting they have nothing to fear ahead of a trip to the Riverside, where Boro have been inconsistent of late, winning five of their last 12 games on their own patch.
Middlesbrough are favourites for this clash, but with home advantage seemingly a non-factor, it could pay to side with the outsiders instead.
Keep the draw on-side as three of Boro’s last five games - including the reverse fixture from early December - have finished level, but Burnley are fancied to prevail on Teesside.
Josh Brownhill anytime goalscorer - 4/1
When in a battle, be that for the title, promotion or relegation, the sides who prevail usually have an inspirational captain in their corner, stepping up whenever their team needs them and Josh Brownhill certainly fits that description.
With the Clarets’ striking options of Zian Flemming, Lyle Foster and Jay Rodriguez struggling to find their shooting boots this season - the trio have netted just six goals between them - Brownhill has stepped up to the plate.
The Burnley skipper already has nine goals to his name, as well as two assists, meaning he has scored 30 per cent of his side’s strikes this term.
Brownhill has netted in his last three matches and he could continue his fine scoring run against a Boro side who have shipped six goals in their last two outings and who will be without their best centre-back, Rav van den Berg, due to suspension.
Hannibal Mejbri to be booked - 12/5
One of Middlesbrough’s standout stars this season has been Ben Doak, who has scored two goals and provided nine assists down the right flank.
The Liverpool loanee has bags of pace and is also a tricky dribbler, regularly causing issues for opposing left-backs. Parker will be aware of Doak’s talent and will look to give his young left-back Bashir Humphreys as much help as possible.
Despite usually playing in central midfield, Hannibal Mejbri has been operating from the left flank in recent weeks and he will be asked to track back and help Humphreys if doing so again.
Mejbri’s combative nature needs no introduction, with many likely to remember his spell of cameo appearances for Manchester United as a tenacious youngster which saw him average a yellow card every 70 minutes in the Premier League.
His love for a tackle still remains, with the Tunisian picking up five yellow cards in the Championship this season.
He looks a decent price to be booked against Boro for the second time this month, having already been cautioned in the reverse fixture.
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Middlesbrough - 27/20
Draw - 11/5
Burnley - 21/10
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.