Middlesbrough vs Burnley Prediction: A draw is possible

There will be a clash between the best-attacking team in the Championship and the best-defensive team when Middlesbrough welcome Burnley to Riverside Stadium on Sunday. The hosts are looking to move to the top six on the table, while the visitors have their eyes on the top 2. The last game between them ended in a draw. Can we have a different result here? Below, I have the team news, possible starting 11, some interesting facts, expert betting tips, and odds.

Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough were held to a 3-3 draw in their last game against Sheffield Wednesday despite taking a 3-0 lead in the first half of the game. Ben Doak put them ahead in the 5th minute before Finn Azaz's brace made it 3-0 in the 15th and 30th minutes of the game. However, they lost their cool in the second half, conceding three goals and Rav van den Berg was also sent off. He will miss this game due to the one-match suspension.

Michael Carrick's men remain unbeaten in five of their last six games and their last three at home. They dropped to 7th on the table, a place below the playoffs zone, with 36 points in 23 games, scoring 41 goals and conceding 31. They have scored the second most goals in the league, with only league leaders, Leeds United (43), having a better scoring record.

On the injury side, goalkeeper Sol Brynn suffered a shoulder injury against Sheffield Wednesday, and he is expected to be replaced by Tom Glover in the starting lineup. Others who are expected to be out include George Edmundson, Aidan Morris, Seny Dieng, Tommy Conway, Luke Ayling and Jonny Howson.

Burnley

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Burnley secured a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in their last game. Josh Brownhill opened the scoring just before halftime before Zian Flemming doubled the lead in the 53rd minute. The combination of the two scorers has been fruitful in recent games, and I think they have what it takes to continue winning games for the Clarets. Brownhill has now contributed four goals in his last three games, with three goals and one assist.

Burnley have won their last three games and have remained unbeaten in their last 10 games. Interestingly, after losing 1-0 to Sunderland in round 3, they have lost just one game (round 13 against Millwall) since then. They have won their last four games on the road as well, which positions them third on the table with 47 points in 23 games, scoring 30 goals and conceding 9. They are just one point behind the first and second-placed teams. The team has the best defence in the league this season, conceding four goals less than any other team in the Championship.

In the injury room, Jordan Beyer, Enock Agyei, Aaron Ramsey, Manuel Benson, Jeremy Sarmiento, Nathan Redmond and Mike Tresor are all out of this game.

Possible Starting 11

Middlesbrough — Tom Glover, Anfernee Dijksteel, George Edmundson, Dael Fry, Neto Borges, Hayden Hackney, Daniel Barlaser, Ben Doak, Finn Azaz, Isaiah Jones, Delano Burgzorg.

Burnley — James Trafford, Connor Roberts, CJ Egan-Riley, Maxime Estève, Bashir Humphreys, Josh Cullen, Josh Laurent, Jaidon Anthony, Josh Brownhill, Hannibal Mejbri, Zian Flemming.

Interesting Facts

• Burnley are unbeaten in their last seven games against Middlesbrough.
• Middlesbrough scored the most goals in the league (41) this season, with only league leaders Leeds United scoring more (43).
• Burnley have the best defensive record in the league, with only nine goals conceded across 23 matches.

Expert Betting Tips

Burnley have not taken their defence line for granted, having conceded just nine goals this season. Although they are playing against the best-attacking team in the league, I still expect them to keep it low. 

They were able to pick a clean sheet against Leeds United and, most recently, against Sheffield United, so they have been tested multiple times. While both sides are of contrasting form, it is going to be an interesting game, and a draw seems to be on the cards, with the last match between them ending in a 1-1 draw earlier this month.

• HT: Under 1 for 1.73 odds
• Under 2.5 for 1.73 odds
• X for 3.20 odds