"Has to get better" - Don Goodman issues strong Middlesbrough, 2024/25 prediction after West Brom win | OneFootball

Don Goodman has given his verdict on Middlesbrough's promotion chances for this season

Don Goodman expects Middlesbrough to earn a place in the play-offs this season following their dominant wins over Stoke City and West Brom.

Michael Carrick’s side had a slow start to the campaign, but recent victories have moved them to within touching distance of the top six.

In particular, the 1-0 win over West Brom midweek away at the Hawthorns could prove a turning point in their campaign.

The Baggies were the league leaders going into the clash on Tuesday night, having earned 16 points from 21, but Boro handed them a second consecutive loss to drop them to fourth.

A 73rd minute strike from Hayden Hackney, his second in as many games, earned Middlesbrough a huge three points in their pursuit of a top six finish.

Goodman tips Middlesbrough for the play-offs

Goodman has praised Middlesbrough’s start to the season, suggesting they’ve been a standout team in the division.

However, he has raised an issue with their performance in front of goal, highlighting the fact they’re already significantly underperforming their expected goals (xG) for the season so far, claiming this needs to improve to boost their top six credentials.

“There's no doubt, in terms of performance levels, that Middlesbrough have been one of the best sides in the league,” said Goodman.

“Before Tuesday night, they had an xG of 13.5 but have only scored eight goals!

“That has to improve as they've only scored three goals from open play, three from set-pieces, two penalties and one own goal.

“It has to get better.

“I saw that with my own eyes when they played Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

“Tommy Conway, Matt Clarke and Emmanuel Latte Lath all should have scored but, yeah, I'm still almost certain that Middlesbrough will finish in the top six.

“They have nine more points than they did at this point last season when they got off to a shocker.

“There comes a point when you have to focus on points, and Michael Carrick will know that, but I think Boro are one of the best three or four teams in the Championship.

“I still don't see any reason why Middlesbrough won't finish in the top six.”

Middlesbrough league position

Middlesbrough will go into this weekend’s round of action sitting seventh in the table, just one point outside of the play-off positions.

Their back-to-back wins in recent days have brought them back into the conversation for promotion to the Premier League.

However, it is still early days, and there is plenty of football still to be played this season.

Up next for Carrick’s side is a trip to face eighth place Watford on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off.

Middlesbrough’s underlying numbers are massively encouraging

In terms of their xG, however, Boro have actually created the most of anyone in the division, with it rising to 14.6 following the 1-0 win over West Brom (all stats from Fbref).

Defensively, their xG against (xGA) is the fourth best in the Championship at 6.8, giving them an xG difference per 90 of +0.98, with only Leeds United faring better.

If they can maintain this level over 46 games then Carrick’s team should be confident of a top six finish.

The only thing that would stop them would be a really poor run of finishing at either, or both, ends of the pitch.