CRYSTAL PALACE v MIDDLESBROUGH
Saturday 17th September 2011 – Kickoff: 15:00hrs
8th placed Crystal Palace take on 3rd placed Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park on Saturday with the Eagles starting off this new Championship campaign in positive mood. It’s a far cry from their 20th placed finish last term where they won just once on the road and avoided relegation by just six points, thanks to their home form.
But it’s still early days and Palace fans, players and management alike will all know it’s a long, tough season ahead, and this match represents no less a challenge.
Nevertheless, Palace have started well at home again so far with a record of 2-1-0 5/2, with wins over Burnley 2-0, Coventry City 2-1 and a 1-1 draw against Blackpool. They also recently knocked Premiership Wigan out of the League Cup, although these underdog wins tend to have the gloss taken off due to Premiership priorities and weaker sides fielded.
Forward Sean Scannell (3 goals) is the leading scorer, and is likely to be partnered up front with Jermaine Easter (1 goal), with back-up provided by Aussie midfielder and new signing Mile Jedinak, Alexander Tunchev and Jonathan Parra. However, I do wonder about their consistency in creating chances from midfield and only time will tell in this department.
Their opponents today, Middlesbrough, have flown out of the blocks this term unlike last year when Strachan was at the helm, and have won their first three on the road with wins at Leeds United 1-0, 3-1 at Barnsley and 2-0 at Burnley.
Along with Brighton, they remain unbeaten in the Championship and will make the trip to south east London with a fair amount of confidence behind them. Manager Tony Mowbray has a full season ahead of him to shape his Boro side and replicate his achievement of his West Brom days in the north east.
Netherlands forward Marvin Emnes (4 goals) leads the scoring charts, but he’ll no doubt get support from the likes of Scott McDonald, midfielder Barry Robson (2 goals, 1 assist), and forward Nick Bailey (1 goal, 1 assist).
Crystal Palace have started well at home, but Boro will be pushing hard for automatic promotion this time around and will fancy their chances here. I’m taking the round ball handicap and should cover the draw this way. Middlesbrough to nick it 1-0 perhaps.
Main Pick: Middlesbrough AH0 @ 1.60 William Hill
Value Pick: Middlesbrough straight win @ 2.38 Ladbrokes
