West Ham v Middlesbrough Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
West Ham welcome Middlesbrough to London Stadium for a Premier League match this Saturday. Read the match predictions to find out why a draw is the betting tip for these out of form sides.
West Ham v Middlesbrough Preview
West Ham look a shadow of the side that did so well last season and find themselves in the relegation zone on just 3 points after 6 matches. Newly promoted Middlesbrough made a bright start but are now beginning to feel the pressure and are just 2 points better off in 16th position.
Slaven Bilic is without a number of players through injury, so won’t be able to completely overhaul his porous defence. Havard Nordtveit is set to undergo surgery, so Sam Byram looks set to come it at right-back. Andrew Ayew and Andy Carroll remain sidelined, meaning that Zaza is likely to be flanked by Payet and Antonio in a three-pronged attack.
Middlesbrough still have Fabio, James husband and Grant Leadbitter in the physio room. Adama Traore’s promising cameo against Tottenham may have earned him a starting berth on the right flank, pitting him against Alvero Arbeloa. Elsewhere, Aitor Karanka is unlikely to make any major changes, with Negredo spearheading the attack once again.
Team Predictions West Ham v Middlesbrough
West Ham 4-3-3 formation: Adrian; Arbeloa, Ogbonna, Reid, Byram; Noble, Kouyate, Fernandes; Payet, Zaza, Antonio
Middlesbrough 4-2-3-1 formation: Valdes; Friend, Gibson, Chambers, Barragan; Roon, Clayton; Downing, Ramirez, Traore; Negredo
West Ham v Middlesbrough Betting Tips
- West Ham have won 2 drawn 0 and lost 5 of their last 7 matches
- Middlesbrough have won 1 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 7 matches
- Over the course of their previous 7 matches, West Ham have scored an average of 1.0 goals and conceded an average of 2.1 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 7 matches, Middlesbrough have scored an average of 1.0 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of West Ham’s previous 7 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Norwich’s previous 7 matches
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
West Ham v Middlesbrough Prediction
The Hammers are in a rut right now and need a result having lost 6 of their previous 7 Premier League matches. Back-to-back 4-2 defeats at home to Watford and away to West Brom were followed by a less than convincing 1-0 win over Accrington in the EFL Cup. Last time out they were humbled once again, this time 0-3 at the hands of Southampton.
West Ham’s move to a new stadium has been cited by some as a reason for the team’s poor form. They’ve been susceptible to errors in defence and Southampton made light work of exposing their full-backs last weekend. Slaven Bilic must find a way of stamping out the errors and at least he comes up against another struggling side here.
Middlesbrough’s point against Stoke and victory over Sunderland no longer look as impressive a few weeks down the line. Since then, they’ve been knocked out of the EFL Cup by Fulham, played a bore-draw with West Brom and lost 3 on the bounce.
Aitor Karanka’s men have at least scored in each of their last three matches; a 1-2 loss to Crystal Palace, 3-1 drubbing at Everton and a narrow 2-1 defeat to Tottenham. Still, they will need to up their game to beat West Ham on the road, something that they haven’t managed in 9 attempts.
Although it doesn’t suit either side, I’m predicting a draw here. It has the makings of a cagey game and neither manager will want to take too many risks.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
Draw at 5/2 with bet365
Over/Under Prediction
Under 2.5 goals at 17/20 with bet365
Correct Score Prediction
Draw 1-1 at 6/1 with William Hill
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