Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Swansea City
Published on: 15/12/2016
Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Swansea City
December 17, 2016 15:00pm - Riverside Stadium
Premier League
Low-scoring Middlesbrough will look to pull clear of relegation rivals Swansea City when the two sides meet at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The visitors themselves can draw level on points with their hosts with a win.
Boro need to find scoring touch
Middlesbrough may have a decent defensive record but a lack of goals at the other end of the pitch is costing them points this season. They have scored just one goal in their last three home games and have only managed to net 13 times in total this season - less than any other team in the league. If they are going to prolong their stay in the top flight beyond a single season, they may need to sharpen up their attack.
Aitor Karanka`s men battled well but were ultimately outclassed in the midweek encounter with second-ranked Liverpool. Jurgen Kopp`s men were finding it hard to break down the well-drilled Boro defence but eventually found a way through with a mix of long balls and quick one-touch football. The hosts were certainly not disgraced despite the 0-3 score-line.
Meanwhile, Swansea City were soundly beaten 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night, a result that left them languishing in 18th place in the table with a total of just 12 points.
Bob Bradley`s men can go level on points with their rivals with a win on Saturday but an inferior goal difference means they cannot improve on their league position. The Swans have picked up just one point from their last seven away games.
Key stats
- Swansea are winless in their last seven away games.
- Middlesbrough have failed to score in three of their last five home games.
Team news
The home side will continue without James Husband - however, Gaston Ramirez and George Friend could both return.
Meanwhile, Swansea will be without Federico Fernandez (toe) but could welcome back Sung-Yeung Ki. Recent form (League):
Middlesbrough: LLDWL
Swansea City: LLDLL
Betting odds and tips
Middlesbrough have beaten AFC Bournemouth and Hull City on home soil in recent weeks and also restricted leaders Chelsea to a 1-0 win.
Meanwhile, Swansea have struggled for points on the road this term and that trend looks set to continue.
You can back the home side to win 19/20 with Bet365.
By Neil Morris
Published on: 15/12/2016
Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (15/12/2016 15:24:55) but are subject to change.
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