Middlesbrough - Leicester: can Leicester climb out of the relegation zone?
In Matchday 34 of the English Championship, Middlesbrough will host Leicester at home. The game will take place on Tuesday, February 24, kicking off at 20:45 CET, and I’m putting forward a bet on this fixture.
Middlesbrough - Leicester: match facts and head-to-head
- Middlesbrough are winless in their last two matches: one draw and one defeat.
- Leicester are without a win in eight consecutive games: two draws and six losses.
- Leicester have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight straight matches.
- At home, Middlesbrough are unbeaten: one draw and three wins.
- Leicester have gone five away matches without a victory: two draws and three defeats.
- Middlesbrough boast the best defensive record in the English Championship with 33 goals conceded.
- Leicester have the second-worst defensive record in the Championship, having conceded 53 goals.
- Only 8% of Leicester’s matches have ended in a win to nil, while Middlesbrough have recorded such victories in 20% of their games.
- Leicester and Middlesbrough played out a 1-1 draw in their most recent head-to-head encounter.
Middlesbrough - Leicester: match preview
Middlesbrough are firmly in the race for first place in the standings and have a genuine opportunity to claim it. After 33 rounds, they have amassed 62 points and trail the leaders by just three. Not long ago, they were sitting at the summit, but back-to-back setbacks have cost them ground. First came a 1-3 defeat to direct rivals Coventry, followed by a goalless draw against Oxford. Their competitor capitalised on those dropped points and moved into first place.
Leicester were relegated from the Premier League last season, and now they find themselves in an even more precarious situation. They are languishing near the foot of the table with 33 points from 33 matches. Leicester sit 22nd and are one point behind the team in 21st. A tense survival battle clearly lies ahead. The squad will be desperate to avoid repeating the fate of Luton, who also went down after suffering relegation from the Premier League.
Probable line-ups
- Middlesbrough: Brynn; Brittain, Ayling, Malanda, Targett; Browne, Hackney, Morris, McGree; Whittaker, Conway
- Leicester: Begovic; Pereira, Okoli, Nelson, Thomas; Winks, Skipp; Monga, Mukasa, Mavididi; Daka
Prediction
Leicester are a solid and resilient side, but they are clearly enduring a downturn in form. It will be extremely difficult for them to secure a victory here, so I recommend backing Middlesbrough in this clash.
