Bolton vs Middlesbrough — Tips & Analysis

Under 3.25: Neither of these teams plays high-scoring football, and that is the case here. Bolton's games have had under 3 goals in total on average, and Middlesbrough's are much the same. Bolton rarely win big either. They have won by 2 or more goals in just 2 of their last 15 games, and 11 of those 15 stayed under 5 goals. Bolton are in decent shape, with three wins in their last five and a 0-0 at Southampton last time out. Middlesbrough are third and the better side on paper, but their travelling has been ordinary. They have won 3, tied 2 and lost 4 of their last nine away games, scoring just over a goal a game and letting in more. They have also tied three of their last five. The visitors are missing Strelec, Pukstas and Jones, so their side is unsettled. The last 14 meetings have averaged under 3 goals, though most of them run back a few years. A 1-1 is the most likely score here, and a night like that leaves us in good shape. The worry is Middlesbrough's recent pattern. Their last three ties all finished 2-2, against Cardiff, Birmingham and Millwall, and a game like that is enough to beat us. Bolton have not tied any of their last seven home games either. We still want the quiet game.