Prediction and odds for the game: Middlesbrough (11/2) vs Chelsea (1/2)

We are backing the away win

When: Saturday 19 March 2022, Kick-off 17:15

Where: The Riverside Stadium

On Saturday evening, Middlesbrough hosts Chelsea at the Riverside Stadium in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Middlesbrough

The team from the north east are looking to play Premier League opposition every week, as they are currently in the fight for promotion from the Championship into the English top-flight. Chris Wilder’s team is seventh-place in the table. All that separates Boro from the top-six is the fact that their direct rival above QPR have scored more goals this season.

Despite their relatively promising position in the table, Middlesbrough’s recent form has been inconsistent, with their record of one win, one draw and one defeat in their last three matches illustrating the mixed nature of their recent results.

However, Boro have been one of the giant-killers of the FA Cup this season, as they have already knocked out both Manchester United and Tottenham in this year’s competition. A victory over Chelsea would be even more impressive and seal a highly creditable treble.

Chelsea

The Blues head to the Riverside Stadium in good recent form, as they have now recorded five consecutive wins in all competitions. In midweek Thomas Tuchel’s side recorded a 2-1 win at Lyon in the last-16 of the Champions League.

The victory meant that the visitors recorded a 4-1 aggregate victory to book their place in the quarter-finals of European football’s elite competition.

One major factor in the Blue’s recent good results has been that seem to have found their shooting boots, as they have found the net at least twice in four of their previous five competitive games.

German international forward Kai Havertz has been in good scoring form of late, scoring four times in as many games in all competitions for the Blues.

The visitors have a good recent record in the FA Cup, winning seven of their last nine games over 90-minutes and one in extra-time. Their only loss in the run was a 1-0 defeat against Leicester in last season’s final.

On paper, Chelsea had a far easier journey to the last eight of the competition, as they faced Chesterfield, Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town. However, they needed extra time to see off the threat of League One Argyle at Stamford Bridge.

Conclusion

Both teams have far bigger fish to fry this season, as Boro challenge for promotion and Chelsea look to retain their European title while looking to secure a top-four position in the Premier League.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is likely to rotate his squad in this clash. However, we still believe the visitors will have enough quality to make it to the last four of the competition. However, we think this could be a tight game, so we are also backing under 2.5 goals scored.

Our Tips: We are backing the away win at odds of 1/2 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at evens. (All odds are taken from Bet365)

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Will Boro cause another FA Cup shock or will Chelsea coast through to the FA Cup semi-finals?