League-position context
Middlesbrough rank7th
Birmingham rank21st
Middlesbrough points70
Birmingham points47
Middlesbrough: #7 · 70 pts · GD +9
18 pts off the top 2. 1 pts above the play-off edge. 23 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Birmingham: #21 · 47 pts · GD -25
41 pts off the top 2. 22 pts off the play-off line. 4 pts from safety.
23-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.