Middlesbrough vs. Norwich: Date, Live Stream for 2015 Championship Playoff Final

Norwich City were rampant toward the end of the season, but may find Middlesbrough too stubborn a final hurdle to clear in the Championship Playoff final. It's the match worth £120 million, a windfall accompanying a place in the Premier League.

The game should be a hugely entertaining clash of styles. Norwich are full of creativity and attacking intent, especially from a talented midfield. By contrast, Middlesbrough are more defined by defensive excellence, although manager Aitor Karanka's men do have quality in forward areas.

Before a more detailed preview, here is all of the relevant schedule and viewing information:

Date: Monday, May 25

Time: 3 p.m. (BST)

Live Stream: Sky Go and BBC Sport (Web Updates).

Preview

The head-to-head form doesn't make encouraging reading for Norwich fans. In fact, a record of just one win in their last 12 games against Boro, per BBC Sport, is an ominous statistic.

Tom Dulat/Getty Images

If the Canaries are going to halt that run, they'll need their superb contingent of midfield playmakers to thrive at Wembley. Alexander Tettey, Graham Dorrans and Jonny Howson can all boss the middle. It's a trio offering power, guile and goals.

But advanced schemer Wes Hoolahan could make the real difference. The 33-year-old loves to play between the lines and thread passes through defensive gaps.

Sky Sports' Football League expert Peter Beagrie has identified Hoolahan's creativity as a real key for Norwich. If he can release Howson's late runs and winger Nathan Redmond's pace, the Canaries will cause plenty of problems.

Of course, Boro have become masters at stifling teams effectively this season. A rock-solid defence that counts Spanish centre-back Daniel Ayala as its linchpin rarely surrenders opportunities easily. Karanka's miserly bunch have conceded just "37 goals in 46 games," according to the Observer's Michael Butler.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Sadly, Boro's ability to effectively counter, a key part of their attacking style, could be blunted by the potential absence of a vital forward outlet. On-loan Chelsea attacker Patrick Bamford could miss out thanks to a "persistent ankle problem," per Sky Sports.

The same report indicates Karanka might trust Kike and Jelle Vossen to lead the forward line. They will be ably assisted by Lee Tomlin, an outrageously gifted playmaker who usually provides the vital flourish whenever Boro break.

Predicted Final Score: Middlesbrough 2-1 Norwich City

As playoff finals go, this one is a nightmare to call. Both teams are well-coached, organised and brimming with talent in key areas.

Norwich are a joy to watch going forward and probably should've left the Championship via the route of automatic promotion. Manager Alex Neil's team boasts plenty of players capable of performing well in the Premier League.

Tom Dulat/Getty Images

But Karanka's Middlesbrough are a cagey and dangerous outfit. Their stingy foundation sometimes belies the class they possess going forward. Certainly, few teams are as capable of soaking up pressure and striking so ruthlessly on the break.

If Boro can go full-spoiling mode early on and frustrate the Canaries' creative talents, Karanka's counter-attack formula could steal it. The high-pressure environment of a Championship playoff final, where so much is at stake, can often stifle forward intent and produce the kind of dour struggle Middlesbrough thrive in.

But if Norwich and their midfield excellence strike early, Boro will be drawn into producing the type of spectacle two teams this talented should deliver.