Middlesbrough v Norwich: Entertainment expected at The Riverside

• Both sides missing key defensive personnel

• Boro boast a strong Riverside record

• Norwich at their best on the road

Middlesbrough battle back at Bristol City

Middlesbrough had to fight from two goals behind to rescue a point at Bristol City on Easter Monday as their winless run extended to three games.

Having trailed 2-0 to goals from Sam Bell and Harry Cornick just minutes either side of the interval, Boro showed fight and character to claw back a share of the spoils thanks to goals from Aaron Ramsey and Matt Crooks.

But it was still a performance where Michael Carrick's side were far below their previously set standards as their form dips at the wrong time.

Carrick tried to take the positives post-match, but admitted a sense of frustration as little moments continue to cost the Teessiders. He said, "The story of the past few weeks has been playing well in spells and giving a bit too much away at certain times. But I think we can be happy with the reaction. It's the details that we need to look after a little bit better."

Centre-back Dael Fry missed the match after picking up a knock in training and his fitness remains doubtful; Boro have conceded eight goals in three games since the international break without Fry.

Carrick selected the same back-four at Ashton Gate - his two changes saw Marcus Forss and Crooks start ahead of Riley McGree and Cameron Archer.

Norwich held at home by Rotherham

A wasteful Norwich side were held to a 0-0 draw by Rotherham at Carrow Road on Easter Monday, missing the opportunity to go fifth in the Championship table.

The Canaries started well and dominated the opening exchanges, with Onel Hernandez creating early chances for Teemu Pukki and Gabriel Sara. But were unable to make an early breakthrough.

Rotherham pressed well in periods, but City were always the most likely. Hernandez, Pukki, Marquinhos and Christos Tzolis all went close for the hosts, but they couldn't force a goal and drop to eighth in the standings, a single point away from the play-off places. However, head coach David Wagner refused to be downbeat post-match.

Wagner said, "Offensively I think the first 25 minutes you can't play much better and we have to score. Afterwards we controlled the game and had some good clear-cut chances but weren't able to score unfortunately. That's football. But this was exactly the performance which I wanted, which I expected from us, which I love to see, and I wan to focus on."

Captain Grant Hanley suffered a ruptured Achilles on Good Friday, with fellow centre-back Ben Gibson also ruled out for the season.

It meant a defensive reshuffle with Sam McCallum and Andrew Omobamidele starting in the back-four. Kenny McLean, Przemyslaw Placheta and Marcelino Nunez are out, although Sam Byram and Isaac Hayden are available again.

Boro odds-on at fortress Riverside

Middlesbrough were 2-1 winners at Carrow Road in the reverse encounter back in November, halting a seven-match winless streak against Norwich (W1-D1-L6) at Championship level.

Boro have been beaten by the same 1-0 scoreline in each of their past three head-to-heads at The Riverside and have failed to score in seven of eight meetings.

Middlesbrough's 1.9110/11 hopes of automatic promotion have faded following a run of just one league victory in five (W1-D2-L2).

They are now 25/1 to be automatically promoted but 6/4 to manage it by either method. Luton have jumped ahead of them in the market to catch Sheffiled United at 22/1.

Boro have appeared especially shaky at the back of late, yet remain strong operators at their Riverside base (W11-D6-L3); under Michael Carrick's watch, the hosts have W8-D2-L1 here with their only reverse against Burnley.

Inconsistency continues to hamper Norwich's 3.8514/5 top-six hopes.

The Canaries have claimed top honours only once in six Championship dates (W1-D3-L2) but have proven to be effective road-trippers. Since David Wagner took charge, City have posted W4-D3-L1 on the road, including victories at play-off hopefuls Preston, Coventry, Millwall and Blackburn.

Norwich remain 6/1 to win promotion but 5/6 to finish in the top six.

Goals could flow on Friday night

Neither Middlesbrough nor Norwich are displaying trustworthy recent form so instead I'm more than happy to invest focus on Friday night goals.

Ten of the last 12 Boro matches have delivered Over 2.5 Goals (17/20) with the home side firing just two blanks in 25 league encounters under Michael Carrick's tutorship, scoring 27 goals in 11 home outings.

Norwich games have proven much more restrained with only four of their 15 Championship fixtures under David Wagner featuring Both Teams To Score (8/11)] winners.

However, the Canaries have gotten on the scoresheet in seven of their eight trips to top-10 opposition and possess the firepower to make their mark against an understrength Boro rearguard.

Both sides are missing key personnel at the back and the duo will each be aware of the importance of picking up a positive result, and so a proactive, entertaining and exciting encounter could well be in the offing.

I'm therefore keen to support goals with Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score available at (2.15) via the Sportsbook's Bet Builder.