Middlesbrough And Arsenal Face Off In FA Cup

Middlesbrough will get a taste of the Premier League as they travel to Arsenal`s Emirates Stadium this afternoon (16:00) in the FA Cup fifth round. Boro currently sit in second position in the Championship, matching points with league leaders Bournemouth and with one game in hand. Their hosts for today are in fifth position in the top tier of English football and are looking to achieve Champions League status for the 18th consecutive season. They are one point behind fourth placed Southampton in this regard.

Arsenal`s home advantage and superior league standing means that they are the 40/85 favourites with Totesport to see off the Premier League wannabes this afternoon. Aitor Karanka`s men, on the other hand, can be backed at 7/1 with numerous bookmakers to secure the win on the road. betfred and, again, Totesport have the best price on a draw, that being available at 4/1. This would lead to a replay being fought out at Boro`s Riverside Stadium.

Both of these teams entered the competition at the third stage, Arsenal seeing off second tier opponents Brighton before putting fellow Premier League side Hull to the sword. Middlesbrough progressed thanks to wins over League One Barnsley and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger`s side made heavy weather of Albion in their opening clash of the tournament. Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil hit the back of the net to make it 2-0 in the first half though conceded soon after the restart, the Championship strugglers pegging the Gunners back through Chris O`Grady. Tomas Rosicky restored the lead over the Seagulls in Chris Houghton`s fifth match in charge before Sam Baldock made it 3-2 with 15 minutes left to play. The game would remain 3-2 until the final whistle.

A goal in either half saw the North London club knock Hull out of the competition at home, central defender Per Mertesacker opening the scoring before Alexis Sanchez hit the closing goal.

Arsenal are 8/15 with a trio of bookmakers (bet365, boylesports, william hill) to score over 1.5 goals in their third FA Cup clash in succession. Of their previous competition scorers, Sanchez is the 6/5 favourite with Betbright and betfair to hit the back of the net at any time whilst Mertesacker is 33/1 (Numerous) to break the deadlock in consecutive games in the competition.

Boro began their cup campaign by hitting two goals past Barnsley without reply. With both goals coming in the second half, the opener was provided thanks to Jelle Vossen prior to Daniel Ayala doubling their lead away from home.

In round four, Middlesbrough were away at home to Manchester City, winning out 2-0 with both goals again coming in the second 45. Patrick Bamford hit the back of the net just before the 55th minute mark with Kike sealing the victory in the dying embers of the match.

Spreadex have 12/5 on the score being goalless at half time in Boro`s third FA Cup encounter in succession. Karanka`s men are also 18/5 (888sport, unibet) to score over 1.5 goals in the whole game or can be backed at 11/2 with betfred to score exactly two goals once again. Meanwhile, another 2-0 victory to Middlesbrough is available at a mammoth 66/1 with Coral.

A clean sheet, however, is something the Tyneside club have failed to keep in their last two matches in the Championship. The league`s strugglers Charlton and Blackpool both bagged one in defeats against the second place side. These games ended 3-1 and 2-1 respectively.

Similarly, Arsenal have also conceded one in both of their last league games. Both teams scoring can be picked up at 10/11 with william hill.

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15/02/2015     © Frixo 2026