Sunday Premier League – Liverpool vs Middlesbrough Preview
May 21, 2017 15:00 – Anfield
Recent Form (League):
Liverpool: WLWDW
Middlesbrough: LWDLL
Champions League-chasing Liverpool welcome already-relegated Middlesbrough to Anfield this Sunday afternoon knowing a win will guarantee them at least fourth spot in the Premier League and a return to Europe’s elite club competition.
Jurgen Klopp has greatly improved his team this season, lifting them from a lowly eighth place last season to a possible top-four slot this term. The improvements have come all over the pitch with more wins, more goals and less goals conceded as the Reds slowly evolve under the stewardship of the German coach.
The Reds now go into the last game of the season, in front of their home faithful, knowing a win against a relegated side will guarantee a top four finish – something most fans would have taken that at the start of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have had a miserable return after spending so long away from the top flight – a reunion that has proved to be all-to-brief. The statistics are damning: the worst attack in the league and less wins than bottom side Sunderland.
The man that got them promoted, Aitor Karanka, was relieved of his duties in March as the Boro board tried to find a way to avoid relegation. However, it was a futile attempt as Steve Agnew could not find the recipe for success. With nothing left to play for, it is hard to see the northeast side not falling to their third defeat in a row.
Prediction:
Nothing is certain in football but the odds of an upset here must be considered slim and the statistics all point to a home win.
Middlesbrough have failed to win any of their last 17 away matches and failed to score in seven of their last eight away games. What’s more, Liverpool are undefeated in 24 of their last 26 home matches in the Premier League.
As a result, a home win with over 2.5 goals should be expected.
You can back the Home Win and Over 2-5 Goals at 8/15 with Betfair.