Middlesbrough v Chelsea Betting Tips
Handicap: Chelsea -1
Both Teams to Score: No
Cole Palmer to Score
Over 3.5 Cards
Over 5.5 Chelsea Corners
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Middlesbrough v Chelsea
Carabao Cup match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Tuesday, 8pm
TV: Sky Sports Football & Main Event
Handicap: Chelsea -1
It is far too early to jump to conclusions, but there are signs that Chelsea are starting to put together some momentum at last. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won each of their last three games in all competitions, which should give them confidence going into the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Doubters may justifiably point to the quality of teams Chelsea have beaten in their last three games, but they can only beat the teams in front of them. In any case, an away victory at Luton is certainly nothing to be sneered at these days.
They face a Middlesbrough side that has badly struggled for form since qualifying for the League Cup semi-finals. Boro have lost four out of five in all competitions since beating Aldershot before Christmas, while they have also lost four of their last five outings at the Riverside.
Chelsea have a real opportunity to put the tie to bed on Tuesday night.
Both Teams to Score: No
Chelsea easily stifled Championship opposition in their 4-0 win over Preston in the FA Cup over the weekend, and they can do so again at the Riverside on Tuesday. The hosts failed to trouble the Aston Villa defence in their FA Cup defeat at the weekend, registering just five shots in the game, with only one shot finding the target.
They have scored just four goals in five games since that win over Port Vale before Christmas and may be frustrated once more against a Premier League defence. Chelsea can keep two clean sheets on the spin for the first time since October.
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Cole Palmer to Score
Cole Palmer has been by far the brightest spark in Chelsea’s dismal season to date.
Since signing from Manchester City in the summer, the youngster has scored eight goals and registered seven assists in 16 starts in all competitions, while he has been involved in seven goals in his last seven appearances, scoring four and assisting three.
Five of his eight goals for Chelsea have come away from Stamford Bridge and he is decent value to continue his excellent record at the Riverside on Tuesday.
Over 3.5 Cards
Chelsea navigated their FA Cup tie with Preston without picking up any cards, but there is likely to be a bit more needle on Tuesday night considering it is a semi-final. Pochettino’s side boast the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League, picking up 58 bookings and three red cards in their 20 games to date.
They average over three cards per game in the league and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if they reached that average on Tuesday.
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, on the other hand, are far better disciplined, boasting the sixth-best disciplinary record in the Championship with 42 yellow cards and two red cards after 26 games. Villa collected five yellow cards in their FA Cup win at the Riverside on Saturday evening, and there is a good chance that Chelsea will collect at least three.
Between them, they should reach at least four cards on Tuesday night.
Over 5.5 Chelsea Corners
Chelsea enjoyed 70% of the ball against Preston on Saturday evening and will expect to enjoy similar dominance against another Championship mid-table side on Tuesday. That control of possession brings territorial dominance, which should translate into plenty of shots and corners.
Pochettino’s side attempted 24 shots against Preston, hitting the target on 12 occasions and winning eight corners. They may not reach such lofty heights on Tuesday, but they should put the Boro goal under sustained pressure and are likely to win at least half a dozen corners.
Middlesbrough v Chelsea Betting Tips
Chelsea -1
Both Teams to Score, No
Cole Palmer to Score
Over 3.5 Cards
Over 5.5 Chelsea Corners
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 38/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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