Middlesbrough vs Oxford United Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Middlesbrough managed to hold Everton to a goalless draw at home last weekend, but whilst that was a good defensive display their overall form is concerning for the Riverside faithful. They have won just two of their last ten games in all competitions, both of which came in the FA Cup.

This has left them in a perilous 16th position in the Premier League with just a two point cushion before they hit the drop zone. Some of their relegation rivals are picking up points at the moment as well, so staying safe for much longer will require a turnaround in form.

Despite the impending danger of relegation, Boro are still likely to field a strong squad here. There has been a week since their last fixture and they won’t be in action again until next weekend, so tiredness shouldn’t really be a factor here.

Oxford United are one of the form teams in League One at the moment, winning seven of their last nine games in all competitions. Their poor form in the opening stages of this season does leave them in a disappointing 11th place though, but with just seven points between them and the playoff zone they are still in with a chance of moving up the table.

Their FA Cup campaign has seen them eliminate Newcastle, Rotherham United, Macclesfield Town, and Merstham this season, and those were all done in style. They put three past Newcastle in the last round and managed to keep a clean sheet, and they have scored at least three in four of their five cup fixtures so far.

It’s unlikely they’ll be able to put three past Middlesbrough though. Despite their rather miserable form in front of goal their back line is working excellently together. They have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven home games, including in both of their FA Cup clashes with Sheffield Wednesday and Accrington Stanley.

In the games that they have conceded they tend to struggle even more going forward as well. Both teams have scored in just two of their last 12 home games in all competitions, and despite Oxford United’s exuberance going forward, I don’t see the home defence giving much away here. Odds of 4/5 for Both Teams Not to Score look good value, so I’m backing that along with a 1-0 correct score predictions at 11/2.