Middlesbrough v Sheffield United
Skybet Championship. Kick-off: Tuesday 7th August, 7.45 pm. Live on Sky Sports Red Button
TONY Pullis’ Middlesbrough welcome Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United to the Riverside for the Boro’s first home game of the season.
Mixed results on the opening day of the season as the Boro were very poor for 75 minutes but escaped with a point with two very late goals. Sheffield United lost their opening league game going down 2-1 at home to Swansea. United had slightly more possession and more shots yet lost to a 85th-minute goal.
The Boro have lost key players; Ben Gibson, Patrick Bamford and Adama Traore have all left the side who lost in the play off semi-final last year and Pullis is quoted as saying, “This squad is not good enough for promotion and we need new faces”, but time is running out for him to get anyone in.
Daniel Ayala is still out through injury and George Friend is doubtful after injuring himself in scoring the second goal on Saturday. Martin Braithwaite, who came on as sub and scored the opener on Saturday, has been the subject of a lot of transfer speculation in the summer after his World Cup exploits with Denmark.
Middlesbrough won the corresponding fixture 1-0 last year and have won their first home game of the season for the last three years. Sheffield United have not scored in the last four visits to the Riverside and all the games have been under 2.5 goals.
In summary both sides will be looking to get a victory to kick start their season but I feel it will be a tight nervous affair with few goals.
Recommended Bets
- Draw (12-5, bet365)
- Under 2.5 goals (4-6, boylesports)
