Chelsea and Middlesbrough face off at Stamford Bridge in a vaunted start for the Barclays Premier League. Chelsea won away by (0 -1) from the last time they faced in this edition of the league. In this match the home factor may play an important role, as Middlesbrough presents significant differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor. In addition to having a showdown where it could be decisive for Chelsea to become champion.
Chelsea
Chelsea claimed 27 points out of 30 after 9 wins and 1 loss in their last 10 games at their home stadium. Defensive solidity has not been his strong point, having conceded goals in 9 of the last 10 games, but their attack has scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches in this competition. In his home game there is a tendency towards goals, since 14 of his last 16 games by the competition finished with More than 2.5 goals. This is a team that often scores first: opened the scoring in 27 of their last 34 games by the Premier League, of those 27 reached the break in advantage in 19 and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90 ‘in 23. In 34 games In this competition, suffered the first goal 7 times but managed to turn the score in 3.
Chelsea will go into the game with full focus, as their great opponent for the title fight (Tottenham) has stumbled on West Ham away from home, and this allows Chelsea to extend the advantage in this fierce title fight.
Antonio Conte, will not have at his disposal for this match only the Brazilian, David Luiz.
Probable lineup: COURTOIS, AKE, CAHILL, AZPILICUETA, MATIC, FABREGAS, ALONSO, MOSES, HAZARD, PEDRO AND DIEGO COSTA.
Middlesbrough
The visiting team is currently in 19th place with 28 points, after 5 wins, 13 draws and 17 losses. In the penultimate match, he won at home to Sunderland by (10). In the last match, tied at home to Manchester City by (2-2). This is a team affected by the home factor, stronger when played with the support of their fans, since in the last 30 games has 6 draws and 9 defeats as a visitor, with a total of 8 goals scored and 23 conceded. In the championship, Middlesbrough won 2 points in 30 chances, after 2 draws and 8 losses in their last 10 away games. For this competition, you have not won any of the last 16 games outside of your stadium. In the matches played out in the league, the most frequent result at the end of the first 45′ was 0, which was verified in 9 of his 18 matches. The team conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 games for this competition, so they have not been very strong defensively. In his away games for this competition there is a tendency towards few goals, since in 11 of the last 17 that disputed there were less than 3 goals.
Steve Agnew will not be able to count on the players: Valdes, Ayala and Leadbitter, for the game against the leader Chelsea.
Probable lineup: GUZAN, FRIEND, GIBSON, CHAMBERS, FABIO, CLAYTON, ROON, DOWNING, FORSHAW, TRAORE AND NEGREDO.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Betting Prediction
Playing at home, with their supporters and playing in front of their fans, the most likely scenario is that Chelsea has the highest possession of the ball throughout the game, and that plays over the opponent in the first stage of this confrontation. Chelsea have an obligation to make a good result against the weak Middlesbrough who occupies the 19th position, so betting for the home team in the first leg is the best bet we can make in this match.
