- Everton U21 beat Middlesbrough U21 1-0 in the last Premier League 2 fixture in the Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027
- Everton U21 have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five games, whereas Middlesbrough U21 are winless in their last five (D2, L3).
- Everton U21 have scored four goals in Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 at an average of 1.00 per match while Middlesbrough U21 have managed seven in four.
Everton U21 have a platform to build from
Paul Tait has overseen Everton U21 since July 2022 and his players are going into this fixture. Tait has a solid foundation to build from as his boys are patient in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 base and can build through midfield or press with purpose.
Everton U21 are 14th in Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 after taking five points from four games, whereas Middlesbrough U21 are bottom of the pile on two. The Toffees are in better form than their opponents with two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five.
Middlesbrough U21 have been with Mark Tinkler since December 2021 and they are more of a direct, tempo-driven Academy side. They have had their moments, such as a 4-4 draw against Leeds United U21 and 2-2 thriller against Aston Villa U21, but they have failed to win in four Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 matches.
Everton have edge of Boro in likely goal-filled fixture
Middlesbrough U21's form of no wins from four league matches doesn't give much confidence that they can get a result against the Toffees, who nicked a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture.
Braiden Graham has been Everton U21's danger man in recent weeks, netting four goals in the Toffees' last five and contributing to their 12-goal haul across that span. Middlesbrough U21 have found Cruz Ibeh, who has scored four of their previous five goals, to be their livewire as the rest of the side have struggled to find the net.
The stats give the edge to Everton U21 in what should be a goal-laden contest on Friday. Middlesbrough U21 will come on strong and have enough to score, but there is an air of desperation about them as they still seek their first win of the Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 campaign.
