As a Senior Football Tactical Analyst, I've thoroughly examined the upcoming Championship clash between Derby County and Middlesbrough. My analysis, incorporating recent form, head-to-head records, and team news, leads me to believe Middlesbrough has a strong chance of winning this match. Middlesbrough currently sit higher in the league, demonstrating a more consistent performance throughout the season. Their recent away form shows resilience, with a win and a draw in their last two away matches, whereas Derby County have struggled for wins, with a mixed bag of results in their recent matches. Middlesbrough's defensive record is also superior, conceding fewer goals than Derby County. Looking at the head-to-head data, Middlesbrough has a clear advantage, having won the last two encounters. This historical context further supports my prediction of a Middlesbrough victory. While Derby County have home advantage, Middlesbrough's overall quality and tactical prowess seem to outweigh this factor. Considering the injury situation, both teams are missing key players. However, Middlesbrough has a more consistent squad and a better goal difference, so their absence might be less impactful. Therefore, considering all factors, I predict a Middlesbrough win, and I anticipate a tightly contested match with under 2.25 goals scored. My analysis also suggests a slight advantage for Middlesbrough in the Asian Handicap market. Given the available odds, I am placing my prediction on Middlesbrough to win.