Middlesbrough v Portsmouth: play-off push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Middlesbrough host Portsmouth in the Championship at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, 11 April 2026, with the home side defending a play-off berth and the visitors trying to stay clear of the relegation places.

Middlesbrough and Portsmouth arrive winless in five league games each. The visitors have recent joy in this fixture, unbeaten in the last three league meetings with two wins and a draw.

Boro drew 2-2 at Swansea last time out and will want a response at home. Portsmouth halted a three-game losing run with draws at Norwich and against Oxford United, but momentum still needs rebuilding.

In selection terms, Middlesbrough are without Morgan Whittaker, the club's top Championship scorer this season with 11 goals, and creator Hayden Hackney, among others. Portsmouth lose Connor Ogilvie to suspension, while Joshua Murphy and Ebou Adams are sidelined.

On the numbers, Boro average 59% possession with 84.63% pass accuracy and have kept 12 clean sheets, so they're likely to control the ball and look to apply pressure through volume crossing. Portsmouth have conceded 57 goals in 40 games but carry a different route to goal, having scored nine times from outside the box, so shots from range could be a weapon if space is tight.

A home win would move Boro to 75 points and further cement their play-off position. Victory for Portsmouth would take them to 45 points and could open up a healthier cushion above the relegation places.