Middlesbrough vs Lincoln City Predictions

• Fewer than three goals have been scored in nine of Middlesbrough’s last 11 competitive home games
• Lincoln have conceded nine goals across their last 13 away games
• The Imps lost their top scorer from last season but have strengthened in defence this summer

Boro boss loves Lankshear

Middlesbrough will be many people’s pick for a home banker on the opening weekend of the Championship campaign as they entertain newly promoted Lincoln City. But, although they may win, it is unlikely to be a comfortable afternoon for their backers at short odds.

Boro beat Wrexham 1-0 in the Carabao Cup last weekend, with £10 million signing Will Lankshear making the difference on his competitive debut. The ex-Spurs striker volleyed the winner and was later described as “the best finisher I’ve ever seen” by Riverside boss Kim Hellberg.

The addition of a 20-goal-a-season striker was one of the last pieces of the jigsaw for Hellberg, whose side were denied a place in the Premier League last season in the playoff final. They scored only one goal in 300 minutes of playoff action at the end of a campaign where they had finished fifth.

Nothing’s impossible for these Imps 

Lincoln scored 89 goals en route to finishing 12 points clear at the top of League One last season, but lost top scorer Jack Moylan to fellow promoted club Cardiff this summer.  They have high hopes for new loan signing Tanto Olafofe, but the real eye-catching business they did was at the back.

Record signing Andrei Coubis, a Romanian international, could be handed his debut here – although ex-Bromley ace Deji Elerewe impressed as the replacement for injured star Sonny Bradley against Derby last weekend.

The Imps played the Rams off the park at times and should be competitive on Teesside too, with the Under 2.5 goals market offering more value than a bet on the hosts, who have failed to win seven of their last nine competitive home games.