Match Report
Middlesbrough, 4th with 75 points, sat 31 points above Blackpool (23rd, 44). Blackpool's recent output outran their position: 7th on form over five rounds, 23rd in the table. In league terms the two rates read 1.83/1.22 for Middlesbrough and 1.04/1.57 for Blackpool (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.22.
14 previous meetings sit in the GioScore records — Middlesbrough 5, draws 3, Blackpool 6, at 3.14 goals per meeting. The host's record in this fixture is thin — 36% of meetings won. History points to goals: 71% of the meetings had three or more, and both sides scored in 57%.
Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, capacity 34,988, hosted the game. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Middlesbrough led 1-0 at the break, before 2 more goals closed it at 3-0.