Middlesbrough v Burnley Betting Tip Draw, 2015-12-15

Very tight affair at the Riverside

Championship Tips

Tuesday 15th December Kickoff: 1945hrs
Middlesbrough v Burnley
Football – England – Championship

The games come thick and fast at the best of times in the Championship, but there is even more football than normal to contend with in December as the hectic festive period kicks into gear. Both Middlesbrough and Burnley are riding high in England’s second-tier and will have their eyes fixed on finishing in the automatic promotion spots come the end of the season. ‘Boro have enjoyed a slightly better time of it and currently sit second, with Burnley five points adrift in fifth. Wednesday’s game will represent an opportunity to cut the back for the visitors who look to bounce straight back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Last season proved to be a case of so near yet so far for Middlesbrough in what was Aitor Karanka’s first full season in charge. A season which promised so much eventually led them to the play-off final at Wembley resulted in massive disappointment as they went down 2-0 to Norwich. ‘Boro never got going that day but it would have whetted their appetite to go one better this season – and they are making a good fist of it. Just two points behind leaders Brighton approaching the halfway point, Karanka’s team are one of the favourites to go up automatically which is surely their aim. It’s their record at the Riverside which has been the foundation for their current position with just one defeat at home in the league this season. Tuesday will be another test of that record against a Burnley team who are very difficult to beat.

Sean Dyce has already led Burnley to automatic promotion from the Championship and he will be looking to emulate the success of 2013/14 once again. The nucleus of that squad remains and considering the start that the Clarets have made, there is plenty of room for optimism around Turf Moor. Things have slightly tapered off, of late, with no wins in their last five games but they have only lost one of them, giving an indication of how resilient this Burnley side have been under Dyce. Before that they had won five out of six including an important victory away to local rivals Blackburn. It was that run of games, in particular, that propelled them into automatic promotion contention and whilst the lack of three points recently has dropped them back a couple of places, it would be foolish to think that there is not more to come from them.

One of Middlesbrough’s failings last year was the lack of a cutting edge in front of goal. It was ultimately what cost them in the chase for the top two and a major issue in the loss to Norwich at Wembley. The signings of Christian Stuani and David Nugent were signals of intent from Karanka and the club’s board, whilst the millions spent on Stewart Downing was also a massive statement. All three have definitely added much-needed quality in the final third and one of the reasons why they are keeping apace with the other top teams in the goals scored column. The manager has ensured that their improved fortunes going forward has not affected their excellent defence, however, and Middlesbrough continue to have the meanest backline in the league.

Burnley also spent big in the summer and the majority went on Andre Gray who was brought in from Brentford. There was a large Danny Ings-shaped hole in the forward line following his exit to Liverpool and Gray possesses a lot of the same qualities. His pace is a constant threat for opposition defenders whilst his tireless work ethic (a must in a side managed by Dyce) allows Burnley to defend from the front. He also gets his fair share of goals, too, and is currently on nine for the season, although he has drawn a blank in four of Burnley’s last five. There were more than a few eyebrows raised when the club splashed out the sort of money they did, on him, but whilst it’s still early days, he looks a very shrewd piece of business. And if his goals and performances lead his team to the top league, it will have been money very well spent.

Middlesbrough v Burnley Betting Tips

This is undoubtedly the best game of this round of Championship fixtures as it pits two of the favourites for autumatic promotion together. ‘Boro could go top depending on results elsewhere and will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing goalless draw at home to Birmingham on Saturday, whilst the visitors will simply be looking to get back on the winning trail again having not been victorious since the 3-1 win over Fulham at the beginning of November.

Both managers were reliable centre-halves in their day, albeit at slightly different levels, and that is clear to see from their approach to the game – with both building from the back. It’s not always the prettiest of football but it’s very effective and it will be a war of attrition on Tuesday at the Riverside. ‘Boro have conceded only two at home all season whilst there has been just 17 goals in 10 away games featuring Burnley – the joint lowest in the division.

Under 2.5 goals looks a reasonably safe option but the odds also reflect that. I am more interested in the outcome of the game, and I think the draw represents fair value. No team in the top ten have drawn more games than Burnley this season, and six of their eight draws have come on the road. With top scorer Nugent suspended for the home team, it’s even more reason to think that this will be a very close contest with little between the two teams.

Draw 5/2 @ Skybet