Palace are doing well in the new season and they are especially good against the favourites. Even after sacking the manager, the situation in Boro is not better, so perhaps Gordon Strachan needed another seven days to stabilize the team.
Unpredictable Eagles
Popular Eagles from London continue giving a hard time to rivals and they recorded the second draw in a row. Manager Neil Warnock’ men seem to have subscribed for 1:1 draws and they are especially good when playing against the favourites like QPR and Preston in the last few matches. Now they are in for a home game and they are even more dangerous at home.
Even though they have won only one game in the last seven matches, you should have in mind that Palace played four away matches and drew three of them. Tough and talented team from Selhurst Park will have special motivation to beat fallen Middlesbrough, so pay attention to Betfair’s offer of 2.80 on a home win.
Boro on crossroads
New manager Gordon Strachan's debut on Middlesbrough bench was another vague and unconvincing game, so it seems that nothing has changed at Riverside. One of the weakest teams in the league, Plymouth taught the hosts a lesson and deserved to take points after recording a minimum win. It is enough to say that the hosts waited 38 minutes to shoot at the target and also failed to use a penalty.
When Gareth Southgate got sacked, Boro were only one point behind the league leaders and now the gap is six points so the team dropped out the play-offs zone. Experienced Strachan needs to work on the motivation, especially because the rivals are pretty dangerous. The pressure might slow down the team from Riverside, so we expect the first round to be a tough fight. Paddy Power offer 2.62 for the first half to end goalless.
Betting verdict
Poor scoring record in the last few matches will cause a more defensive approach on both sides. Boro might reach the desired result only in a tough game; the difference in the quality is small and this will hardly be the game when we will se Strachan's team back in form. Whatever happens, this will be a tight affair so the best choice is under 2.5 goals. Paddy Power offer 1.73 on under 2.5 goals.
PROM
PL-OFF
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