Expect a battle by the Riverside!
February 8th, 2012 by EditorMiddlesbrough v Sunderland – 19.45
Hardly the most glamorous FA Cup match up we will see this season writes Laurence McCormack but an appealing home tie against Arsenal awaits the winners of this Tee-Wear derby. Middlesbro’ provided a stern test when they visited Sunderland last week. The Black Cats started slightly complacent and Boro stormed into a 16th minute lead.
That lead would have been doubled if it wasn’t for a fine defensive effort by Sunderland which eventually got then a foothold in the game before a Frazer Campell strike restored parity and brought the tie to a replay.
Sunderland are big favourites to progress here as the majority of pundits, bookies and tipsters alike haven’t given Middlesbro’ a sniff.
Its easy to see why given recent form. The turn of the new year signaled the start of an awful run of form for Tony Mowbray’s men.
Boro registered 13 points from a possible 15 during a profitable December, but in stark contrast 2012 has seen them pick up just two points from a possible 15. Despite this run, the Teesiders are still in the play-off places just 5 points off automatic promotion. This is mainly due to their fine home form which has seen them lose just twice at the Riverside all season.
The Sunderland gravy train has been a very profitable one since Martin O Neill took over.
However following a tough game away to Stoke in appalling conditions and Arsenal at home in the league this weekend the Black Cats small squad of available players will do well to cope with this fixture pile up.
I expect a tight derby game which may take longer than 90 minutes to force a victor. This one really could go either way so perhaps Middlesbro’ represent the better value but small stakes are advised.
The Bottom Line:
Banker: Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6
Flutter: Draw @ 12/5
Tricky Cup Treble:
Ivory Coast (-1) @ 13/10 – African Nations Cup
Valencia v Barca Over 2.5 Goals @ 4/9 – Copa Del Reya
Boro v Sunderland Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6
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