Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Chelsea

Published on: 20/11/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Chelsea

November 20, 2016 16:00pm - Riverside Stadium

Premier League

Middlesbrough will look to extend their unbeaten run to four games when they face third-ranked Chelsea at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. The visitors themselves can go top of the table with a win.

One defeat in last five for Boro

Middlesbrough have picked up more points on the road than at home this season. However, in their last match at the Riverside, they cruised to a 2-0 win against Bournemouth to claim their first home win of their current campaign. That victory was preceded by an impressive draw at Arsenal and they followed it up with another stalemate at Manchester City which took their current unbeaten run to three games.

Aitor Karanka`s men will look to build on their recent good performances when one of the Premier League`s title favourites pays a visit to the northeast on Sunday afternoon. A win would lift the newly-promoted side to 11th in the table.

Meanwhile, Chelsea could go top of the Premier League table with a win on Sunday after leaders Liverpool could only manage a draw at Southampton on Saturday.

The Blues are just two points behind Jurgen Klopp`s pace-setters, who are above Manchester City on goal difference. A win would lift them a point clear and extend their victorious streak to six games. Incredibly, Antonio Conte`s men have not conceded a single goal in any of their last five matches.

They come into this game on the back of a 5-0 demolition of Everton two weeks ago. Away from home, they have won three, drawn one and lost one, and have scored two goals in four of those five games.

Team news

Boro will hand a late fitness test to George Friend, while Daniel Ayala (ankle) remains the only other absentee.

Chelsea should have a full strength squad to choose from as Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Kurt Zouma and Cesc Fabregas have all recovered from their respective injury issues.

Recent form (League):

Middlesbrough: DWDLD

Chelsea: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Middlesbrough kept a clean sheet at home for the first time in the recent clash with Bournemouth. That game also marked their first home win of the campaign. So far, seven of their 11 points have been picked up on the road.

Chelsea are on a five-game winning streak and have not conceded a goal in that time. They have scored two goals in four of the five away games that they have played.

Despite Middlesbrough`s recent improvement, it is hard to see them getting the better of a Chelsea team that are in irresistible form.

In the betting market, Eden Hazard looks a decent bet to grab a goal anytime.

You can back Hazard as anytime goal scorer at 8/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 20/11/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (20/11/2016 11:02:24) but are subject to change.