Bournemouth vs Middlesbrough prediction for Friday’s English Championship round 39 clash at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth. Playoff chasing Bournemouth welcome Middlesbrough in a very crucial match. Follow on for our free prediction and betting tips.
Bournemouth chasing a playoff spot
Boss Jonathan Woodgate is a former Middlesbrough player and boss but he won’t have any place for sentiments coming into this match as his team Bournemouth are battling for a playoff spot and need the three points to catch up with 6th placed Reading who are three points ahead.
Scoring 55 goals all season has made the Cherries the joint third-best scoring team in the league. They have scored in every match in their last eight outings but they have lost two of their last five home games in the league. That could be a concern for Woodgate.
In their last match in the league against Swansea, Bournemouth won 3-0. Woodgate’s team shared the possession of the ball with their opponents but had more chance to score with 17 goal attempts of which three were on target.
Middlesbrough need to bounce back
The next three matches will be very important for Boro as they play teams who are in front of them on the standings and being six points behind of the sixth spot, boss Neil Warnock’s men must bounce back quickly from their last match’s defeat at the hands of Milwall 1-0.
In their last six matches, Middlesbrough have scored nine goals and conceded five. They had two clean sheets and scored in all six games. It is important to note that Boro have six away wins this season and they all followed after a defeat in the previous game.
Neil Warnock’s team were the better side in their last trip to Milwall but an own goal by Hall gave the three points to the home side. Boro had ten attempts at goal but couldn’t convert any of them.
Key Stats
Bournemouth vs Middlesbrough Prediction
Both of these teams enter this match with only one aim and that is the three points. This will make both coaches play a very cautious game. Bournemouth are averaging 1.74 goals per match at home this season while Middlesbrough are averaging 1.11 goals in away matches this season.
Although both of these teams have been scoring regularly in their recent matches, 53% of Bournemouth’s home matches saw under 2.5 goals, and Middlesbrough’s 53% of away matches saw under 2.5 goals. We think it will be a tight match and the score low.
Bournemouth vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips
Under 2.5 Total Match Goals 1.61 or 8/13 at William Hill
Both Teams to Score Yes 2.00 or EVS at William Hill