West Ham vs Middlesbrough Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
A match which many would have considered a home banker at the start of the season, West Ham vs Middlesbrough is now a lot more difficult to predict than first thought, with both teams struggling for form in recent weeks.
West Ham have been extremely poor and look on course to be involved in a relegation battle this season, having only managed one win so far amongst five defeats. A preseason injury to the defensive stalwart Aaron Creswell was a huge blow to Slaven Bilic’s side and it’s showing on the pitch. The Hammers have the worst defensive record in the division and have conceded 14 goals in their last four games.
After a promising start, three defeats in a row have seen Middlesbrough drop down the Premier League table. Scoring goals doesn’t seem to be an issue, as Aitor Karanka’s side have only failed to score once in their six games to date, but a leaky defence is causing issues at the other end of the pitch.
The two haven’t met in in the league since they were battling it out in the Championship in the 2011-12 season, so it’s hard to read too much into the recent head to head record.
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Missing players
The aforementioned Creswell is due back soon after the October international break, as are Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho. Bilic’s left back problems were compounded by the injury to Arthur Masuaku and Andre Ayew remains side-lined for a further month or two with a thigh injury.
Grant Leadbitter is Middlesbrough’s only long term absentee, but James Husband and Fabio Da Silva are likely not to be involved, with both suffering from shoulder and knee problems respectively.
Possible starting lineups
West Ham: Adrian; Byram, Reid, Ogbonna, Arbeloa; Kouyate, Noble; Antonio, Payet, Feghouli; Zaza
Middlesbrough: Valdez; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; De Roon, Forshaw; Traore, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo
Key players
West Ham: Dimitri Payet, Michail Antonio, Cheikhou Kouyate
Middlesbrough: Gaston Ramirez, Ben Gibson, Alvaro Negredo
West Ham vs Middlesbrough Prediction
Two struggling side sides, who like to play attacking football and are defending poorly at the moment, is a match-up that points towards goals. Neither team will go into the game as the favourite, but both managers will feel their team has a real chance of getting a much-needed win.
It’s too difficult to say which of these teams is going to come out on top, so our prediction for this game is Both Teams to Score, No Draw. Adama Traore was impressive when coming off the bench in Middlesbrough’s loss to Tottenham, so betting on Traore To Score and Middlesbrough To Win could be profitable, providing he gets the nod to start. Desperation to get the victory will force West Ham on the attack and could result in Middlesbrough conceding a penalty, so Mark Noble to Score Anytime could be another promising bet. You can check the latest odds here.
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