Two completely contrasting sides go head-to-head in this FA Cup quarter final as Middlesbrough host Manchester City.
Middlesbrough managed to scrape past League One side Oxford United in the previous round to book their place in the quarter-final. This victory against the U’s was Boro’s only victory in their last six matches in all competitions. In fact, Middlesbrough have failed to win a Premier League game since 17th December, putting them 18th in the table and three points off safety.
Aitor Karanka’s men may be solid at the back with just 30 goals conceded in the league – the fifth best record in the division. However, they are uninspiring in the final third and are by far the lowest scorers in the top flight with a pathetic 19 goals scored and no Premier League goal in their last 360 minutes of playing time.
That aforementioned victory against Oxford was Boro’s last victory at home and they have failed to win or even score in their two matches at the Riverside since then. Overall they have taken just 13 points from 13 home games.
After putting in thrilling displays over the last few weeks, Manchester City put in a rather ponderous performance against Stoke City in midweek and could only manage a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, all but confirming that they will not win the title this season.
As mentioned above, Pep Guardiola’s side had been excellent recently, particularly in the final third and, even after that goalless draw with Stoke, they have still found the back of the net 12 times in their last three games. They have also dramatically improved at the back with two clean sheets on the trot.
Interestingly, the Citizens have been better on their travels than they have at home and, in fact, they have the joint-best away record in the top flight with 30 points from 14 games. Furthermore, they have gone unbeaten in their last five in all competitions away from the Etihad, scoring 11 and conceding zero.
Man City are the clear favourites and rightly so. Boro may be good at the back but they are woeful going forward and, with City’s excellent clean sheet record away from home recently, I do not give the home team much hope of scoring. With this in mind, ‘Manchester City to Win to Nil’, at 6/5, is the bet here.
Read more from Thomas here.