Middlesbrough v Leeds Betting Tip Under 2.5 goals – 9 February 2019

Riverside to play host to another game with few goals

Championship Tips

EnglandMiddlesbrough v Leeds UnitedEngland
Saturday 9th February 1300hrs 
Football – England – Championship
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 71/100 (odds taken 21.20 GMT, Thursday 7th February)

Leeds were knocked off top last weekend and will be looking to put that right on Saturday but face another difficult fixture in the shape of Middlesbrough who themselves have been in better form but suffered a horrific defeat in the cup last time out.

Championship Betting at Marathon Bet

Middlesbrough Preview

There was only one objective for Middlesbrough and their manager Tony Pulis at the start of this season and that was promotion. Having reached the playoffs 12 months ago only to lose out in the semi-final to Aston Villa. The squad had heavy investment to achieve that objective and now approaching the last third of the campaign they will feel they are well placed to challenge for automatic promotion. Currently in fifth spot, ‘Boro are seven points behind leaders Norwich and Leeds but they have played a game less than both those clubs and have a golden opportunity to narrow the gap to Leeds at least with their visit on Saturday. It’s been a decent spell for them in the league these past few weeks where they have won three and drawn two. It was last week’s victory away to West Brom – who they’re level on points with – which was most important of them all, however, as it instilled more belief and confidence than there has been for the couple of months previous. A disastrous 2-0 defeat away to Newport Town in their FA Cup replay followed that game but if you ask the manager and most of the club’s supporters they would happily accept that exit in return for another big win against a promotion rival on Saturday.

 

Key-Facts – Middlesbrough v Leeds United

  • The race for promotion is hotting up and this is a massive clash between two of the top five
  • Games involving Middlesbrough average the lowest amount of goals in the Championship this seas (1.93 per game)
  • The first meeting between these two clubs this season ended goalless at Elland Road

Leeds United Preview

There’s been few disappointments for Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa but last Saturday’s home defeat to Norwich was certainly one of them in a game where the Elland Road club could not get going. Their opponents were one of the first teams to completely nullify what Leeds do so well and all concerned will be hoping it was just an exception and they can bounce back at the first time of asking against a team who are also in contention for the top two. It’s now three defeats in five for Leeds who have relinquished top spot to Norwich but only on goal difference so they are very much still one of the favourites to win automatic promotion. Bielsa will know all too well just how important it is to respond in their next game and even more so when it’s against a rival. Much was made when the Chilean was appointed at the start of the season about whether or not his style of play could hold up for a full season in the Championship which will make him especially keen to get a result at the Riverside on Saturday and return to the top of the table for a couple of hours at least.

Middlesbrough v Leeds United Betting Preview

Middlesbrough were amongst the favourites for promotion at the beginning of the season but it’s been Leeds who have been at the top of the Championship for the majority of the campaign. There was nothing to split these teams when meeting at Elland Road at the end of August when a goalless draw ensured both teams gained a point. A solitary point would not be ideal for either of them on Saturday however, otherwise they both could potentially lose ground on other promotion rivals.

No team has lost fewer games in the Championship this season than ‘Boro but they have drawn more than other team in the top seven which has prevented them from being in amongst the top two. Leeds still possess the best away record in the league despite losing two of the last three on their travels in the league. My attention is grabbed by ‘Boro’s defensive record which is the best in the league by some distance – their games also average the lowest amount of all 24 clubs (1.93 per game). Pulis will know they are unlikely to outplay Leeds and win the game, instead he’ll be looking for his team to keep it tight. Twelve of their 14 leagues games at the Riverside have had two or fewer goals scored in them and I see that as a strong selection once again.