MIDDLESBROUGH, Key man: Patrick Bamford

MIDDLESBROUGH
Position: 1st
Points: 66
Form: WDLWLW
Up next: Nottingham Forest (a)
Sky Bet promotion odds: 8/15

Key man: Patrick Bamford

Bamford reaffirmed his intention to enjoy a long career at Chelsea this week but the loanee has business to attend to in the Championship first, namely firing Middlesbrough into the Premier League. The 21-year-old forward ended a three-game run without a goal by netting the opener in a 3-0 win over Millwall in midweek and Aitor Karanka will need him on form for the run-in. A repeat of the form that saw him score in six games out of seven late last year would do much to boost his side’s automatic promotion hopes.

Patrick Bamford needs to maintain his form for Middlesbrough

Beagrie’s expert view

Boro have one of the top three squads in the division with a brilliant manager, who I think will go on to be a top manager in European football. They got back on track with a win in midweek and it was good for them to see the strikers getting goals, which has been a problem because they have always been one of the lowest scorers in the top of the division with the best defence. There’s no doubt that they are genuine automatic hopefuls.

Opta stat: Middlesbrough have conceded the fewest goals (24) and recorded the most clean sheets (16) in the Championship this season