Middlesbrough vs Cardiff — Tips & Analysis

Cardiff +1.25: Middlesbrough are the better side here, but they almost never win big. They have won by 2 or more goals in only 2 of their last 17 games. Six of their wins in that run came by a single goal, and five games finished level. Boro are unbeaten in their last seven at the Riverside, with five wins and two ties. They score almost 2 goals a game there and let in a goal a game. Cardiff are no soft touch going forward. They score more than 2 goals a game across their last 16, and they put five past Watford last week. Cardiff have also won 7 of the last 20 meetings with Boro. Those games have been quiet, under 3 goals in total on average, so one mistake usually decides them. A 2-1 Middlesbrough win is the most likely score, and a narrow Boro win keeps us on the right side of this. The worry is Cardiff's road form. They have won one of seven away games and let in more than 2 goals a game on their travels. Bielik is suspended, Chambers is out and Salech is doubtful, so the attack that beat Watford may not start. We still want Cardiff with the head start, because Boro grind out narrow wins rather than pull clear of teams.