These two sides are at opposite ends of the table with Middlesbrough simply looking to survive in the division whilst Manchester City are looking to consolidate their place in the top four.
Middlesbrough managed to claim a precious three points by securing victory over bottom of the table Sunderland in midweek. This was their first league win of 2017 and they still look unlikely to get out of trouble with six points the difference between them and safety.
Goals have been incredibly hard to come by for Boro this season and they are the league’s lowest scorers with just 24 goals to their name. However, defensively, they have been pretty good with just 43 conceded – fewer than the likes of Stoke City and Southampton – along with a clean sheet ratio of 32%.
As you would expect from a team struggling against relegation, the Teesiders have found it hard to take points from home matches with just 17 from 17 matches at the Riverside. Having said that, it is also worth pointing out that they have only lost three out of the last nine league matches on home soil.
Manchester City managed to hold off city rivals United in Thursday’s derby which means they are still ahead of them in the table, but only by a single point. However, they are having a bit of a bad patch at the moment with just two wins in their last eight in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s side are a frightening prospect going forward and it is no wonder that they have found the back of the net 63 times in 33 league matches. Their recent goalless draw against Manchester United was the first time they had failed to score in eight matches in all competitions. There are still questions surrounding City’s defence with their Goals Against record of 35 the second-worst in the top five. However, they have now kept two consecutive clean sheets in the league.
Strangely, the Citizens’ away form has been better than their home form with 34 points taken as opposed to just the 31 taken on home soil. However, City have gone really downhill on their travels in the last few weeks with three losses and just one win in their last five in all competitions.
Although Middlesbrough did win their last match, I do not give them much hope here and expect City to come out on top. As mentioned above, there are still issues with the City back-line, however, Boro’s attack is so woeful that I doubt that they will be much of a threat on Sunday. ‘Manchester City to Win to Nil’ is certainly worth a go at 7/5.
More Premier League tips can be found here.