Middlesbrough – Sunderland : Preview & Prediction
Middlesbrough and Sunderland play at Riverside Stadium in a FA Cup match (Round 3). The record of recent direct clashes favors the home team, which in the last 3 matches has won 3. The last direct confrontation between these two teams, on 11/5-2017, ended with Middlesbrough’s (1-0) win. In this match the home factor could play a decisive role as Sunderland has shown differences in performance in their games at home and as a visitor.
Review of Middlesbrough
The home team plays their first match in this edition of the FA Cup with the intention of taking advantage of the home factor to achieve a positive result. This is a team that maintains the income when it plays outside of its stadium, because in the last 30 games it registers 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses as a visitor; against 9 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses in his stadium. In the last game he played for Championship, he beat Preston North End out (2-3). For the last 10 home games, Middlesbrough has 5 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses. Defensive solidity has not been his strong point, having conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 games but his attack has scored regularly as he has scored goals in 8 of the last 10 games. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 8 times and only got 1 turn on the scoreboard.
Middlesbrough enter this motivated game after a 2-3 away away win at the Preston field visit: Daniel Ayala and Howson scored the winning goal. The home team usually play in a traditional 4-3-3 where the three most advanced pieces are Downing, Assombalonga and Traoré. The brain of the team is the Englishman Howson, player responsible for defining and conducting the attacks of his team. Having a few weaknesses, Middlesbrough usually plays in their midfield, with the goal of filling their defensive flaws. The home team manager must have all the players at his disposal.
Analysis of Sunderland
The visiting team makes its debut in this edition of the FA Cup with the intention of achieving a positive result and surprise the team of the house. This is a team that curiously shows more positive results than at home, since in the last 30 games it has recorded 4 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses as a visitor, with a total of 18 goals scored and 26 conceded. Already inside the home, it won 1 victory, 5 draws and 9 losses, with a total of 13 goals scored and 28 conceded. In the last game he played for Championship, he lost with Barnsley at home (0-1). In the last 10 games as a visitor, Sunderland has won 2, drawn 3 and lost 5. His attack has scored regularly, as he has scored goals in 7 of the last 10 games. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 10 times and never managed to turn the score.
Sunderland enter into this unmotivated match after a 0-1 home defeat at the Barnsley home. Unlike the opponents of this match, the visiting team should play a tactical system in 5-2-3, with the goal of trying to take advantage of the counterattacks. In any case, Sunderland is expected to take a more defensive stance, with the aim of not conceding spaces to its opponent. The Sunderland coach should have all the team at his disposal.
Middlesbrough – Sunderland : Betting Tips
Middlesbrough – Win Odds: 1.65
Both teams to score / YES – Odds: 1.70
Over 2.5 Goals – Odds: 1.70
