Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Liverpool

Published on: 13/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Liverpool

December 14, 2016 19:45pm - Riverside Stadium

Premier League

Newly-promoted Middlesbrough will look to ease their relegation worries by pulling off a shock result when third-ranked Liverpool pay a visit to the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday night.

Boro looking over shoulders

Middlesbrough may be keeping their heads above water but they are just two positons above the drop zone going into this game. Boro are one of five teams with just three wins to their name all season - however, they have by far the best goal difference of all those teams, effectively putting them four points clear of danger.

On home soil, the northeast club have won two of the last three and were only narrowly beaten by Chelsea (0-1). That display should serve as a warning for Wednesday night`s visitors. Aitor Karaka`s men come into this game on the back of a 1-0 defeat away to Southampton.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have forced themselves back into the reckoning as Champions League contenders this term and are currently riding high at third place in the table. Despite their lofty position, the Reds do come into this match on the back of a slight wobble after losing 4-3 at Bournemouth and then drawing 2-2 at home to West Ham. Their slight dip in form has coincided with the absence of star player Philippe Coutinho through injury.

Jurgen Klopp`s men had gone unbeaten in five away games before the recent defeat to Bournemouth and will be out to get their top four challenge back on track by grabbing their fifth away win of the season.

Team news

The home side will be without James Husband, who has a dislocated shoulder, while Alavaro Negredo, Gaston ramirez and George Friend are all on the doubtful list.

Meanwhile, the visitors continue to struggle with an extensive injiury list that currently inlcudes Marko Grujic (tendon), Philippe Countinho (ankle), Daniel Sturridge (calf), Adam Bogdan (ACL), Danny Ings (Meniscus), Joe Gomez (Achilles) and Sheyi Ojo (back), while Dejan Lovren and Emre Can are both doubtful.

Recent form (League):

Middlesbrough: LWDLD

Liverpool: DLWDW

Betting odds and tips

Liverpool`s occasional defensive lapses are still costing them points but on a much less regular basis than last season. A few changes can be expected on Wednesday as Klopp looks to get his team back to winning ways with a more disciplined display.

Middlesbrough like to keep things tight and could frustrate their opponents. However, they are not big goal scorers and their visitors should have enough to hold them off. As a result, the Anfield side could grab a narrow win and a clean sheet.

You can back Liverpool/Win to Nil at at 8/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 13/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (13/12/2016 17:15:52) but are subject to change.