Prediction and odds for the game: Fulham (17/20) v Middlesbrough (3/1)
We are backing the home victory
When: Friday 17th January 2020, kick-off 7:45 PM
Where: Craven Cottage
On Friday night, promotion-chasing Fulham host fast-improving Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage in the Championship.
Fulham
The Cottagers recent form has been inconsistent in the Championship. However, they have won three of their last five league games, including a 1-0 win over Hull last time out. The run has at least kept Scott Parker’s team in the play-off spots.
The team from the English capital are also just seven points behind the automatic promotion spots. They will still believe that automatic promotion is possible with a good run of form.
A recent run of inconsistent home form has not helped the Cottagers chances of finishing in one of those two automatic promotions spots. In fact, Parker’s team has won four and lost three of their last seven league games at Craven Cottage.
Their recent league encounters on home soil have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in eight of their last nine matches.
One player who has played a big part in that good scoring run is Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has scored 18 times in 26 league appearances for the Cottagers.
Middlesbrough
Boro’s form has improved immensely in recent weeks, as Jonathan Woodgate’s team is now five league games unbeaten in the second tier of the English game. In fact, a 2-2 home draw against Derby County in their last Championship match ended a four-match winning run for the visitors in the league.
An improvement in front of goal of late in the second tier has made a big impact on results, as Boro have scored at least two goals in four of their last five Championship outings.
Middlesbrough’s away record in the Championship has been poor, as they have won just twice in their last 13 league matches on the road. However, those two victories have been in their most recent away games at West Brom and Preston North End.
The visitors leaky defence had played a big role in their poor performances on the road, as prior to consecutive clean sheets in their last two away games, Boro had kept just one clean sheet in their previous 14 league matches on their travels.
Conclusion
Fulham are inconsistent and Boro head into this clash as the form team of the pair. We are backing the Cottagers to record a victory. However, with the four of the last six meetings between the two teams finishing in draws in all competitions, this could be a close game.
The other bet we are backing is Aleksandar Mitrovic to score at anytime at odds of 21/20. The Serbian has gone three league games without a goal, but the striker doesn’t usually go long without a goal in the Championship.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 17/20 and or Aleksandar Mitrovic to score at anytime at odds of 21/20. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top between Fulham and Middlesbrough?
