The New Year’s English football action continues today and for some Premier League and EFL clubs it will be there second match in three or four days after the action at the weekend. In the Premier League there are two televised matches today; firstly the lunch-time kick off between Middlesbrough and Leicester at the Riverside and at tea-time West Ham face Manchester United at the London Stadium.
History is not on Middlesbrough’s side in this corresponding league fixture as they’ve won only one of the last ten, which came in the Premiership back in 2001/2002, drawing four. Leicester are unbeaten in the last six corresponding league fixtures and won the last two. Also, six of the last ten corresponding league fixtures ended with more than 2 goals scored, including three of the last four.
This season Middlesbrough have won three of their nine Premier League home games, drawing one. They’ve scored on average 1 goal per game and conceded on average 1 goal per game at home in the league this season and over half of these games ended with less than 3 goals scored. Also, over 60% of their league home games this season ended with Both Teams ‘Not’ scoring.
Leicester have the second worse away form in the league this season and have won none of their nine away games, drawing two. They have scored less than a goal per game and conceded on average 2.3 goals per game away in the league this season, nearly 80% of their league away games ended with more than 2 goals scored and Both Teams scored in nearly 80% of these games as well.
This is a big game for both clubs in terms of the relegation battle and a win for either club would move them further clear of the relegation zone, especially if the teams below them do not win today and tomorrow. From a betting perspective this match is a tough one to read as history suggests Middlesbrough will not win while the form table this season suggests Leicester won’t as they’ve yet to win on the road. I’m a believer that historical form is the best guide in these types of matches so laying Middlesbrough or backing Leicester on the Asian Handicap is worth considering, as is backing Both Teams to Score ‘Yes’.
The West Ham and Manchester United has produced some classic Premier League games in the past and today’s is likely to be no different. West Ham have won three of the last ten corresponding Premier League encounters, drawing two, and West Ham are unbeaten in the last two. Six of these games ended with 2 or more goals scored and six ended with Both Teams scoring.
This season West Ham have won four and drawn two of their nine Premier League home games and they’ve lost one of the last six, winning the last two. They scored on average 1 goal per game, conceded on average 1.6 goals per game and over 60% of their nine league home games ended with less than 3 goals scored. Also, over 50% of their league home games this season ended with Both Teams ‘Not’ scoring.
Manchester United have won five and drawn two of their nine Premier League away games this season and are unbeaten in the last four winning three. They have scored on average 1.4 goals per game and conceded on average 1.22 goals per game away in the league this season. Nearly 60% of these games ended with more than 2 goals scored and Both Teams scoring.
From a betting perspective this is likely to be a close match with both teams having played on Saturday and only having one day’s rest. United have the edge in this fixture historically and based on recent form and with that in mind backing United to Win and Both Teams ‘Yes’ or United Win and Over 2.5 Goals match double result is worth considering.
