Middlesbrough vs Manchester City - Premier League preview and odds

Published on: 30/04/2017

Middlesbrough vs Manchester City - Premier League preview and odds

April 30, 2017 15:05pm - Riverside Stadium

Premier League

Middlesbrough will continue their bid for Premier League survival when fourth-ranked Manchester City pay a visit to the Riverside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Midweek win keeps Boros hopes alive

A home win over doomed Sunderland on Wednesday night ensured that Middlesbrough would survive another week with their Premier League status intact. But with just four games left to play, the northeast club are still seven points behind 17th-ranked Hull City, the team they will need to overhaul to stay in the Premier League. To make their task even more difficult, Steve Agnew`s men also have to play Chelsea and Liverpool after this weekends clash with Manchester City.

Having claimed their first win in 17 matches and having lost just two of their last six at home, there may be some renewed confidence running through the squad but victory over a top-four side looks unlikely.

Meanwhile, Manchester City arrive at the Riverside on the back of goalless draw at home to rivals Manchester United on Thursday night. Pep Guardiola`s men have lost just one of their last six on the road (at Chelsea) having also won four and drawn one, keeping four clean sheets in all of those victories.

Team news

Daniel Ayala (knock) and Victor Valdes (rib) are the two conformed absentees for the home side, who could also be without Grant Leadbitter who is doubtful with a tight hamstring.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be hampered by the absence of Ilkay Gundogan (knee), while David Silva (hamstring strain), Fernandinho (muscular), John Stones (muscular), Bacary Sagna (groin strain) and Gabriel Jesus (metatarsal fracture) are all still doubtful.

Recent form (League)

Middlesbrough: WLLDL

Manchester City: WWLDD

Betting odds and tips

Boro`s record against the top six is not great with five defeats in five games against such opposition. As a result, a similar conclusion can be expected this weekend. The hosts were trailing at the break in four of those games and that has also be taken into consideration in this prediction.

You can Man City/Man City in the Half Time/Full Time market at 4/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 30/04/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (30/04/2017 06:06:44) but are subject to change.