Middlesbrough Vs Leicester City — Match report and Tuesday previews
middlesbrough vs leicester city ended 1-1 at the Riverside Stadium after Caleb Okoli put Leicester ahead and Riley McGree levelled in first-half stoppage time. Promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough had to settle for a point against relegation-threatened Leicester City.
Middlesbrough Vs Leicester City match
Caleb Okoli opened the scoring in the first half when he got in front of Boro defender Luke Ayling to head home Divine Mukasa's right-wing free-kick. The visitors took a shock lead, only for Okoli to give the ball away in the build-up to the hosts' equaliser just before the interval.
How the goals unfolded
Boro sprang forward from that turnover. Hayden Hackney played the ball to the left to Tommy Conway, who pulled it back for Riley McGree to tuck away his third goal in his past four matches to level in first-half stoppage time.
Chances and key moments
Early in the second half Leicester had a great chance to regain the lead when Ayling's botched attempt to head away a long ball left Patson Daka one-on-one with keeper Sol Brynn, but the striker headed wide. Leicester continued to threaten and Abdul Fatawu sent an effort narrowly wide of the far post.
At the other end Callum Brittain's cross was nudged narrowly wide by David Strelec, Conway fired well over, and veteran keeper Asmir Begovic saved with his legs to deny McGree on another occasion.
Table implications and form
Middlesbrough have now gone three Championship matches without a win, having previously won six in a row. A victory would have put second-placed Boro level on points with leaders Coventry City, who will go five points clear of them if they beat Sheffield United on Wednesday evening.
After a recent defeat by Coventry saw the Sky Blues regain top spot from Boro, Kim Hellberg's side have dropped points against two teams battling against the drop, having played out a frustrating goalless draw against Oxford United at the weekend. They are six points clear of third-placed Ipswich and Hull in fourth, but will be keen to get back to winning ways in their next match, away to Birmingham on Monday.
Leicester reaction and situation
Leicester have drawn both their matches under new boss Gary Rowett, who will be encouraged by their spirited performance. Leicester, who are at home to Norwich on Saturday, remain third from bottom and are without a win in eight league matches. They are just a point behind West Bromwich Albion, the team immediately above them in the table, and their performance suggested they are capable of getting out of trouble under Rowett.
Manager comment
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg told Radio Tees: "It makes it one loss in the last nine, but of course you want to win games. We weren't good enough to win today. From the last two games we created a lot of opportunities but for us now the ball is not going into the net to win it. "
Tuesday predictions and previews
By Carter White | 24 Feb 2026 00: 20, Last updated: 24 Feb 2026 00: 20
Tuesday's Championship predictions included Middlesbrough's hosting of relegation-threatened Leicester City, and promotion hopefuls Wrexham clashing with a rejuvenated Portsmouth outfit in North Wales. The previews noted that with both ends of the table affected it was hard to call; one prediction said both sides would get the better of their defences but the points would ultimately be shared on the night.
Another preview line for the Riverside Stadium suggested that with the stakes getting bigger for both clubs, a few nerves might be on show, and that despite Boro's blip on Saturday they should have enough quality to come through the encounter with maximum points.
Other fixture notes in the same set of previews included Blackburn Rovers vs Bristol City, Hull City vs Derby County, Swansea City vs Preston North End, Watford vs Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion vs Charlton Athletic, Wrexham vs Portsmouth, and Southampton vs Queens Park Rangers. The previews said Derby take pride in their ability to shut out sides under Eustace and that the visitors should be able to edge the game when they create a chance. For Swansea vs Preston the text stated Swansea enter in better form and should get the three points, while Preston's recent late concession to Blackburn might affect them. On Watford vs Ipswich Town the preview referenced Watford feeling on the up under Still and Ipswich's ability to rotate possibly proving key. On West Brom vs Charlton Athletic the preview said only wins will do for Ramsay to start winning over the West Brom fanbase, but Charlton had impressed and West Brom's best hope might be salvaging a last-gasp draw. The preview for Wrexham vs Portsmouth again expected a closely fought affair with the points being shared on the night. For Southampton vs Queens Park Rangers the note said Southampton had staged a dramatic comeback not too long ago against Leicester City and that game was expected to finish level.
middlesbrough vs leicester city remains a result with consequences for both teams: Boro drop points and Leicester earn a draw that continues a run without victory but offers some signs of resilience under their new manager.
