It may have been a distinctly average season for Chelsea so far but they’re just 180 minutes away from Wembley. Standing in their way are Championship side Middlesbrough.
The first of their two-legged semi-finals kicks-off tonight at the Riverside in a match that’ll conjure memories of the 1997 FA Cup final, won by the Blues thanks to goals by Roberto Di Matteo (remember that one?) and Eddie Newton (doubt you’ll remember that one!).
Back then Boro boasted superstars Emerson, Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli but they don’t quite have the same quality these days as they battle to get back to the top table.
They kept Aston Villa at bay until the 87th minute on Saturday before exiting the FA Cup but they only managed one shot on target in the 90 minutes which doesn’t bode well against top flight opposition tonight again.
It’s not a fixture Boro have enjoyed. You have to go back to 2006 for their last win and they’ve failed to score in the last nine meetings between the sides, losing them all to nil.
Chelsea are in just about their best form of the season so far, the only blot on their copybook being a defeat at Wolves, their only loss in the last six.
They breezed past Preston, who sit just one point below Boro in the Championship, on Saturday thanks to four second half goals.
They’re 8/15 to win tonight which, given they’ve got another 90 minutes to get the job done, seems a bit skinny.
It’ll likely be a cagey affair in the opening stages and one bet that’s served us well is backing against an early goal. Once again no goal before 26:00 appeals at 5/6 as does no first half goal at 5/2.
We’re into the last 16 in the EFL Trophy and there’s four ties tonight.
Since Academy teams have been included in the competition in 2016-17 only five have made it to the quarter finals stage and only Chelsea U21s have gone as far as the semi-finals in 2018.
Tonight Brighton and West Ham’s kids are shooting for a place in the last 8.
The young Hammers have been really impressive in the tournament so far, winning all three group matches then following that up with a handsome 4-0 win at Colchester. They’re currently second in the Premier League 2 and are 16 unbeaten in all competitions including notable wins over Celtic (5-0) and Valencia (1-0) as well as a draw with Lyon (1-1).
They’re away to Wycombe Wanderers tonight and could be worth an interest at 3/1.
The Chairboys are 16th in League one but topped their four-team EFL Cup with three wins from three which included a 92nd minute winner against Crystal Palace’s U21s.
Super Single
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- Tue 19:45 Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
- Wed 20:00 Liverpool vs Fulham
Racing Tips
For Tuesday's action Rizzel has picked out his three strongest fancies from Market Rasen and Southwell. Cairnzy also makes a welcome return with four selections raing from 9/4 to 16/1
- Racing tips: Venetia's Mare should have no worries serving it up to the lads at Market Rasen
- Cairnzy's Racing Tips: Lagonda can continue good form for Williams yard
As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Japan v Jordan. 1130ish
Jordan hopeless so it all depends how many Japan want
Second half could be broken up by a few substitions
The last time Jordan played a decent side was against Norway in September. They lost 6-0.
Gonna go for something like this
Over 3.5 goals
Btts no
Goals in each half.
2.47/1
The last time I posted about Japan. They scored 5 all in the second half.
So might do a high scoring bet also.
Hills boost
Max a 5er
Japan v Jordan
Over .5 goals first half home
Over .5 goals second half home
Over 3.5 goals home goals
Japan win
No both to score
Japan first goal
Japan -2
Boosted to around 5/1
Not easy finding info for the match
Sofa score
Says 3-0 after 30 mins
Today’s bet
Taca De Portugal
Estoril v Porto
Both teams to score + over 2.5 goals
Ladbrokes 6/5
NAP
Today’s bet
Taca De Portugal
Estoril v Porto
Both teams to score + over 2.5 goals
Ladbrokes 6/5
NAP
Japan are 4-0 up at HT
Good news 👏
6.0 Japan 81mins
Japan 6 Jordan 1 FT
Jordan scoring stuffed a couple of my bets. Hope some were on goals. Cheers
Taa out for a few weeks for Liverpool
Fulham. 5/1.
AFC Fylde v Hartlepool
Hartlepool draw no bet 7/4 @ Skybet
Fiorentina vs Bologna
Over 2.5 mgs 6/4,
Goodluck 👍
TURKISH SUPER LIG
Rizespor v Besiktas 17.00
Over 2.5 Goals.. 4/6 NAP
Over 3.5 Goals.. 6/4 NB
SKYBET…. Good Luck…. 🤞
Gmc nice one for the heads up on Japan game i would’ve followed the 5/1 bet with the BTTS NO if I had the option got 2/1 for – 3 handicap and under evens for win both halves so the value was in the 5/1.
PS. I won’t be following your Fulham win bet at 5s tho haha good luck tho I won’t be backing against it either but theyl cop fine without trent in my opinion
Double
Falkirk+ derby win, over 1.5 home goals
7 for 17.50 back.
Evening gents,
Got the corners Nap up last night but no joy on the longer card bets.
Up to Parmo country tonight and sure the Boro will give the travelling Chelsea support a warm Teesside welcome…not the atmosphere it was back in the Ayresome Park days but still a tough place to play on a cold January night:
BORO VS. CHELSEA (8.00pm)
BORO GOAL BEFORE 73:00
(5/6, bet365) NAP ⭐️⭐️⭐️
BROJA ANYTIME GOAL
(15/8, bet365) NB ⭐️⭐️
RED CARD AWARDED
(11/2, bet365) LONGSHOT ⭐️
Best of luck with all bets!
Middlesbrough v Chelsea
Draw at 10/3
No goals at 14/1
Prediction 0-0
Best of luck
Middlesbrough will set up the same as they did against Villa at the weekend limiting Villa to nothing really in terms of chances, the goal Villa did score was a heavily deflected shot so will feel hard done by. As Hull as already said it’s a cold ground to play at any time of the year even worse in the winter. I can see both legs being tight.
Porto And Over 1.5
4/5
Sporting Lisbon And Over 2.5
4/9
Falkirk And Over 2.5
5/6
Chelsea And Over 1.5
8/11
Just a tickle 7s bfair
gliyf 🤞🎟⚽️
Coimbra U20 v Sampaio Corrêa FC U20
19:45
Brazilian Sao Paulo Youth Cup 🇧🇷
BTTS 6-4 SKYBET.
Prediction 1-2
Copying others
Boro v Chelsea
Draw
Under 3 goals
Under 10 corners
Under 4 cards
Both to score first half no
25/1
B365.
Small bet
M’BORO v CHELSEA
Landed with ease in there cup tie at the weekend similar price so homing in on the holding midfielder again to foul at a very tasty price.
BARLASER TO COMMIT 1 FOUL 11/10 NAP
BARLASER TO COMMIT FH FOUL 13/5 NB
BARLASER TO COMMIT 2 FOULS 6/1 LONGSHOT 1
PALMER 2+ SOT AND ANYTIME ASSIST 16/1 LONGSHOT 2
All Paddy Power prices..
NAP and NB up after 26 mins😉🍻🍻
Also for anybody noticing WILLIAM HILL. EPIC ODDS. GALLAGHER TO RECIEVE A CARD SUPER BOOST from 7/4 to 3/1… The normal price unboosted at paddy power is bigger at 16/5. Yet another fine slice of con from will Hill👍 don’t fall for it people
Been getting absolutely shafted by the bookies over the past 4 or 5 days and tonight was no better. Gonna spunk the last of my bankroll on a Real/Milan double for tomorrow and if it loses will take a long break. Here’s hoping. 🤞
In play levi colwill red card. 25/1
Don’t know if anyone follows Sharks, at the moment we have 10 game loosing streak and tonight though game vs Toronto. We played couple of days ago and lost 4:1. Was watching a game and Leafs was much better team and I really doubt that tonight it’s going to be any different.
Maple leafs -2.5 @evens
Nylander and Matthews 4+shots on goal @evens
Good luck if you follow