Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs AFC Bournemouth

Published on: 29/10/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs AFC Bournemouth

October 29, 2016 12:30pm - Stadium of Light

Premier League

Fourth-from-bottom Middlesbrough will go in search of their second win of the season when they welcome rising stars AFC Bournemouth to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Boro winless in seven

Since securing five points from their opening three games, Middlesbrough have added just two more to their tally and have now fallen to 17th place in the Premier League table, with only goal difference keeping the newly-promoted side out of the bottom three.

Boro`s biggest problems have come at come at home where they have picked up just one point all season - a draw against Stoke City on the opening day. Since then, they have fallen to three straight defeats to Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford.

Aitor Karanka`s men come into this game on the back of an impressive 0-0 draw away to Arsenal in which they had limited possession but created some good goal-scoring opportunities. They will be hoping to carry some of that form into this weekends match against one of the leagues in-form teams.

Bournemouth have picked up a lot of admirers since their arrival in the top flight and they now seem to be getting the results to match their brave performances. The South Coast club are unbeaten in four matches and as a result, they have risen to 10th in the table, just two points behind seventh-ranked Manchester United.

Eddie Howe`s men have yet to win on the road, having drawn two and lost two of their away matches. They come into this game on the back of a 0-0 draw at home to title Contenders Tottenham Hotspur.

Team news

Grant Leadbitter is recovering from a hernia problem and remains Middlesbrough`s only doubt for this weekends clash.

Meanwhile, the visitors will continue without the services of Brad Smith (foot), Lewis Cook (ankle) and Marc Pugh, while Junior Stanislas will face a late fitness test.

Recent form (League):

Sunderland: LLDLL

Arsenal: DWWWW

Betting odds and tips

With the home side yet to have won a game at the Riverside and the visitors yet to have triumphed on the road, the draw seems like the most likely bet.

Both teams have conceded at least once in their respective home and away matches so the 1-1 draw may also be worth considering.

You can back the Draw at 11/5 with Bet365.

You can back a Correct Score of 1-1 at 5/1 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 29/10/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (29/10/2016 11:19:53) but are subject to change.