Middlesbrough vs Bolton Betting Tips

This might be just the kind of fixture Middlesbrough need to lift the gloom of their play-off defeat and get their season up an running. Bolton lost and failed to score in their final two Championship games last year and they are yet to score in either of their outings so far this season.

Therefore there is plenty of reason to think they will struggle to get on the scoresheet when they head to the Riverside Stadium this weekend and backing the hosts to win to nil at 5/4 looks to be well worth a punt. The early indications are that this could be another season of struggle for Wanderers.

Neil Lennon’s side picked up a creditable enough 0-0 draw on the opening day at home to one of the title favourites Derby but were beaten 1-0 at the Macron in midweek by Burton Albion in the Capital One Cup. Lennon named a strong side for the game and their problems in front of goal were abundantly clear even against lower league opposition.

Middlesbrough forged a reputation for being very strong defensively last season and there should be no reason why that won’t be the case again this year. They also opened with a goalless draw away at Preston but were comfortable winners in midweek at Oldham with Christian Stuani scoring his first goals for the club in a 3-1 win. The Uruguayan scored 12 goals in La Liga last season for Espanyol and represents a real coup for the club.

The Teesiders were unbeaten in pre-season and should be too strong for Bolton on Saturday although they rarely win big so backing a 2-0 scoreline at 11/2 might be the best bet if you’re taking a punt on the correct score market.

Having won 12 of their last 14 at home in the Championship, Middlesbrough will take plenty of confidence into the game and a home win here is surely one of the bankers of the weekend.

Boro won 1-0 when Bolton visited in February and also won when the sides met in Lancashire so backing Middlesbrough to win to nil at 5/4 looks like a great bet.