Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Crystal Palace

Premier League

Football
Published: 09/09/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs Crystal Palace

September 10 , 2016 15:00pm - Riverside Stadium

Premier League

Unbeaten newcomers Middlesbrough will look to build further momentum in their Premier League survival quest when they take on winless Crystal Palaces at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Boro already looking like survivors

After spending so many years trying to claw their way out of the Championship, Middlesbrough fans must be relishing every second of their top-flight return. And after picking up five points and remaining unbeaten in their first three games against Premier League regulars Stoke, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, there is reason to believe that the Reds have a real chance of surviving beyond a single campaign.

New boss Aitor Karanka recognised that further reinforcements were needed to aid their quest for survival, and so far, his summer additions have proved their worth. The likes of Alvaro Negredo and Gaston Ramirez have already made an impact and the northeast side also have an able defensive line-up that looks comfortable with the pace of England`s top tier.

Boro`s roster was further boosted on transfer deadline day with the permanent arrival of Adama Taore from Aston Villa and the loan signing of Calum Chambers from Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Palace have not had the best of starts to the season and remain winless at this stage. A last minute equaliser in the game against Bournemouth prevented Alan Pardew`s men from entering the international break bottom of the league table and also bagged them their only point of the campaign so far.

The Eagles will be hoping that record signing Christian Benteke can bring an end to the goal drought that has plagued them since the start of 2016. Loic Remy has also been drafted in on loan from Chelsea but there are still huge question marks over his fitness levels.

On a positive note, Palace have been fairly solid in the defensive areas, having conceded less goals than any other team in the bottom 10 so far. If they can add a few goals of their own to the equation, the Londoners should be able to navigate their way to safety.

Team news

The home side will be without the injured groups of George Friend, Fabio Da Silva, James Husband and Grant Leadbitter.

Meanwhile, Alan Pardew will have to cope without Yohan Cabaye and Fraizer Campbell.

Recent form (League)

Middlesbrough: DLWDD

Crystal Palace: DWLLW

Betting odds and tips

Palace have yet to record an away win in the league in 2016 and have only won two of their last 34 Premier League matches, so it is hard to make a case for them in this game.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have impressed in all of their games so far and were perhaps unlucky not to have picked up even more points. What’s more, they have not been beaten on home soil since January.

Back the home win at 13/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365
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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (09/09/2016) but are subject to change.

09/09/2016     © Frixo 2024

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