Middlesbrough vs Watford LIVE: Early team news from the Riverside

A play-off place is secured in all but name, with Boro's goal difference far superior to Hull City and Wrexham, the only two teams could catch them. Boss Kim Hellberg admits he will have the play-offs in mind when he picks his side for the final two games, but after ending their winless run against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, he knows momentum will be crucial.

Boro are still without Hayden Hackney today, but Hellberg has plenty of options to refresh the side against the Hornets, who just have pride to play for at this stage.

We'll have all the latest as it happens from the Riverside right here, with team news, match updates, anakyis, reaction and ratings.

New UpdatesKey EventsFull-time: Boro 5-1 WatfordView PostGOAL: Boro 5-1, Conway (90+2 mins)View PostGOAL: Boro 4-1, Conway penalty (75 mins)View PostBoro penaltyView PostGOAL: Boro 3-1, Whittaker (58 mins)View PostGOAL: Watford 2-1, Abankwah (48 mins)View PostGOAL: Boro 2-0, Strelec (45+1 mins)View PostGOAL: Boro 1-0, Whittaker (6 mins)View PostKick-offView PostBoro team news is in!View PostToday14:26 BSTFT 5-1Full-time: Boro 5-1 WatfordAnd Ipswich only draw. What a big day for Boro. It's still alive.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:25 BST90+2 mins 5-1GOAL: Boro 5-1, Conway (90+2 mins)Conway wraps up the scoring. What a day for Boro!

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:19 BST90 mins 4-1Six minutes added timeAudable gasps at that. Don't think the result is in jeopardy now mind.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today14:11 BST82 mins 4-1Bolahe goes off for Watford and gets a nice reception from Boro fans.

Meanwhile, Sarmiento down and signalling from physios he's going to have to come off.

Silvera replaces him

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:09 BST79 mins 4-1ElsewhereStill 0-0 in the Ipswich game. If it stays like this it's a very good weekend for Boro.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:04 BST75 mins 4-1GOAL: Boro 4-1, Conway penalty (75 mins)Conway converts! Good penalty. Selvik goes the right way, but Conway hits it low with power into the corner.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today14:02 BST73 mins 3-1Boro penaltyCorner swung in, handled by the defender. clear penalty.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:01 BST73 mins 3-1Conway so unluckyHe reads a pass well and intercepts from midway inside the Watford half. He uses the momentum to drive towards the box and is only denied by a great last-ditch block.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:00 BST71 mins 3-1Castledine chanceSubs combine as Conway tees up Castledine. He has a pop from just outside the box. He mnakes it dip and bounce just infront of the keeper, making it an awkward one. Selvik manages to save it though.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today13:52 BST63 mins 3-1Boro subsStanding ovation for Whittaker as he is one of three players coming off.

Fry, Castledine and Conway on for Malanda, Hansen and Whittaker.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:51 BST62 mins 3-1Whittaker denied by the barSo close to the hattrick. He smashes one and hits it really well, running onto it. But it hits the bar face on and comes out. so unlucky.

Just before that, Strelec went close too. Much better.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:47 BST58 mins 3-1GOAL: Boro 3-1, Whittaker (58 mins)It's that man again! Two goals and an assist today. Targett crosses. Hansen can't get the touch to turn it goalwards but Whittaker arrives behind. Gets a bit stuck at the feet of Whittaker and the defender, but the Boro man refuses to give up and eventually fires it home.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today13:38 BST48 mins 2-1GOAL: Watford 2-1, Abankwah (48 mins)Watford quickly pull one back. Boro half asleep from the restart. Malanda and Ayling lose their aerial duels and Abankwah runs in beyond Strelec who's back there trying to defend, slamming the ball home from a close-range but narrow angle.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:33 BST46 mins 2-0Second half kick-offBack under way with one Boro change. Targett on for Bangura

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:33 BSTHT 2-0Back out for the second halfLooks like Matt Targett is replacing Alex Bangura for the second half.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today13:25 BSTHT 2-0ElsewhereIt's 0-0 at half-time between West Brom and Ipswich. If it stays that way, Boro's top two chances will remain alive.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:23 BSTHT 2-0First half verdictBoro took the lead early through that sublime Whittaker FK and take a two-goal lead into the interval after Strelec's goal just before the whistle. But it's fair to say in between that, Watford looked most likely to score the second goal. They've had far the better chances. Good lead for Boro, but sloppy at times.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:20 BSTHT 2-0The second goalDidn't get chance to describe it because the HT whistle went straight after the restart.

But good move from Boro. Whittaker played it inside to Morris, who slid further on for Gilbert. He spotted the dart into the box from Whittaker and picked him out with a great pass. Whittaker goes across goal and Strelec slides in at the front post and manages to turn it in.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today13:18 BSTHT 2-0Half-time: Boro 2-0 WatfordBoro ahead at the break.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:18 BST45+1 mins 2-0GOAL: Boro 2-0, Strelec (45+1 mins)Boro have a second.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:11 BST40 mins 1-0Ayling effortBoro's first shot at goal for some time and it's Ayling from range. He tries to bend one bottom corner around the crowd and he executes it well. Just lacking power so even seeing it late, Selvik can get down and push it wide.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today13:06 BST35 mins 1-0ElsewhereIt remains goalless at the Hawthorns. West Brom appear to be on top in the game, but still 0-0. Ipswich only had one shot on target so far.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:05 BST33 mins 1-0Watford hit the postWatford hit on the break as Gilbert's poor ball forward is easily read. Kjerrumgaard gets it and can drive towards goal with only Ayling trying but struggling to keep up. He's at least taken slightly wider than he'd have liked but it's good low hit across goal. Beats Brynn but hits the post and comes out.

Watford the better team since Boro's goal.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:00 BST28 mins 1-0Louza just wideMorris forced to concede a FK about 20 yards out. Louza steps up and looks to deceive Brynn by going for the corner he's stood closest too. Brynn diving but it's wide of the post.

Boro have the lead and are enjoying more of the ball but haven't created much since the goal. Watford have had a few chances.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today12:50 BST19 mins 1-0Watford so closeLucky escape for Boro. Cross towards the back post where only Kjerrumgaard lurks. It's beyond him, but he rescues it and as Ayling scampers across to get back to him he takes it back onto his left and looks to bend one far post. It's only narrowly wide with Brynn beaten too.

Watford have had chances since the Boro goal.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday12:45 BST14 mins 1-0Shooot!Hansen wins another Boro free-kick. This one pretty much on the touchline. Boro fan in front screams 'Shoot!' as Whittaker comes across to take it.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday12:42 BST10 mins 1-0Watford responsewatford have responded well to going behind. Two chances since the restart, both brough about by Boro being a little casual in possession. Came to nothing in the end. One sliced wihde, one straight at Brynn.

Riverside still lifted by the goal though. Really raised the boise levels that.

CommentsCraig Johns‌Today12:38 BST6 mins 1-0GOAL: Boro 1-0, Whittaker (6 mins)Boro lead! Direct free-kick, I repeat, direct free-kick. Boro have scored from a direct free-kick. What a hit from Whittaker! 25-30 yards, curled over the wall and flew past Selvik.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday12:36 BST5 mins 0-0So farBeen all Boro. Watford have all but one man behind the ball. They're going to make Boro find a way through a compact defence. Positive early signs with Boro knocking it around well so far.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday12:33 BST3 mins 0-0Line upBoro are with the 4-2-3-1 today. Hansen off the left and Sarmiento in the middle behind Strelec.

Boro quickly establishing control in the early stages.