Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Everton

Published on: 09/02/2017

Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Everton

February 11 , 2017 15:00pm - Riverside Stadium

Premier League

Middlesbrough will look break a seven-game winless streak when they welcome seventh-ranked Everton to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the visitors can extend their unbeaten run to eight games with a win.

Shadow of relegation creeping up on Boro

So far this term, Middlesbrough have managed to keep themselves clear of trouble but a run of seven games without a win has left the newly-promoted side just one point clear of the drop zone.

Despite their failure to pick up a win, the northeast club have not performed badly during that spell, with the home defeat to West Ham United perhaps their only poor performance. Last time out, they limited Tottenham Hotspur to single goal ina defeat away from home and prior to that, they held eighth-ranked West Bromwich Albion to 1-1 draw at home.

Meanwhile, Everton have been steadily picking up points and have closed the gap on the top four teams to seven points. While a Champions League place still looks unlikely, the Toffees at least have the target of European football to aim form.

Ronald Koeman`s men have won five and drawn two of their last seven matches and are unbeaten in their last four away from home. They come into this game on the back of a 6-3 win at home to AFC Bournemouth in which Romelu Lukaku bagged four goals.

Team news

The home side will have to make do without George Friend (muscular problem), while Gaston Ramirez (knee) is a doubt.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to soldier on without the injured quartet of Dominic Calvert-Lewin (knock), Yannick Bolasie (knee), Muhamed Besic (knee ligament) and Matthew Pennington (thigh).

Recent form (League)

Middlesbrough: LDLDD

Everton: WDWWW

Betting odds and tips

Two of Middlesbrough`s last three home matches have been drawn and two of Everton`s last three away games have also produced stalemates.

You can back the Draw at 9/4 with Bet365, while Romelu Lukaku can be backed at 6/5 to score anytime.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 09/02/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (09/02/2017 14:11:04) but are subject to change.