Middlesbrough v Watford: play-off push meets recovery bid | OneFootball

Middlesbrough host Watford in the Championship at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, 25 April 2026, with the hosts looking to firm up their play-off spot and the visitors aiming to halt a run of four defeats in five.

Middlesbrough are fifth on 76 points, while Watford sit 15th with 57. The reverse meeting ended 3-0 to Watford in November 2025.

Boro have momentum from a 1-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday after a 2-2 draw at Ipswich. The Hornets have lost three on the bounce, following defeats by Oxford United, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion.

Boro are without Darragh Lenihan, Riley McGree, Alfie Jones, Hayden Hackney and Leo Castledine through injury. The Hornets are missing Hector Matthew Kyprianou, Pierre Dwomoh, Rocco Vata and Stephen Mfuni.

With 59% average possession, 84.53% pass completion and 13 clean sheets this season, Boro may look to control the game and feed leading scorers Morgan Whittaker, on 12 league goals, and Tommy Conway on 10. The Hornets have scored 52 and conceded 56. Imran Louzan's supply line stands out with nine assists and 16 goal contributions. Watford's open-play crossing accuracy of 20.30% suggests wide deliveries could be a route to test Boro's defence.

A win would move Boro to 79 points and could strengthen their position in the play-offs. Victory for the Hornets would take them to 60 points and may lift them several places towards the top half.