Burnley v Middlesbrough Betting Tips

Two relegation candidates come together on Boxing Day as Burnley host newly-promoted Middlesbrough.

Burnley had been on a good run which had put them within touching distance of the top half, however, they have been on a slippery slope recently which has seen them lose five of their last six Premier League matches.

We usually associate Sean Dyche’s team with defensive solidity, but they have been anything other than solid lately and are without a clean sheet since their 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford at the end of October. Unless they can get back to their old sturdy ways then they could find themselves in the bottom three come May.

Unfortunately, with their game so reliant on being good at the back, they are not very effective in the final third and are amongst the league’s lowest scorers with just 16 goals in 15 matches.

However, if anything will keep The Clarets up this season it is their home form with Dyche’s men winning three of their last five at Turf Moor. Additionally, apart from their loss against lowly Swansea City on the opening day of the season, they have only lost against sides in the top four on home soil. Going up against a relegation rival in Middlesbrough is probably a must-win for Burnley which is slightly nerve wracking but Dyche will be confident given his team’s home form.

Although Middlesbrough lost two consecutive matches recently, Aitor Karanka’s men are actually on a decent run at the moment with two wins and one draw in their last five. They showed that they are capable of really competing in this division last time out with a 3-0 thrashing of relegation candidates Swansea City, pulling themselves four points clear of the drop-zone in the process.

Much like Boxing Day opponents Burnley, Middlesbrough are famed for their defensive resilience with their record of five clean sheets in 17 matches an impressive record for a newly-promoted team. Overall they have only shipped 19 goals in the league so far this season which, again, is excellent for a promoted side.

Unfortunately they do not offer much in the final third with marquee summer signing Alvaro Negredo failing to readapt to life in England and the formerly touted Jordan Rhodes not being given much of an opportunity by Karanka. It will be interesting to see how Boro try and penetrate this usually tough Burnley back-line at Turf Moor on Boxing Day.

As expected from a newly-promoted side, Middlesbrough’s away form has not been good with just the one win on the road all season and even that was on opening day. However, they are picking up points on their travels with five draws, including against title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City, in eight matches away from The Riverside.

Although both sides will be very keen to win this, I think it will be a very tense game with very few goals. Overall though, given their home record and Middlesbrough’s away record, I expect Burnley to come out on top. If I were you I would certainly look at ‘Burnley Draw No Bet’ at a surprisingly profitable 23/20. I do not think Middlesbrough have much of a chance here and this bet means that you either win or get your money back on two likely results.

Boxing Day Championship tips here.