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Middlesbrough vs Rochdale Predictions

  • 18:45
  • Expired
  • Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough
Rochdale

odds when tipped

odds when tipped

Middlesbrough vs Rochdale Predictions

It’s been a pleasing start to the campaign for Tony Pulis’ promotion chasers, who come into this match having won each of their last four in the league, while they got the better of League Two opponents in the last round of this competition. Given the form that they’ve been in, the hosts ought to fancy their chances of coming out on top when welcoming Rochdale to Riverside Stadium on Tuesday.

As they look to earn promotion to the Premier League, Middlesbrough have made an excellent start to the new campaign. Tony Pulis’ men have won four of their five league matches, scoring nine goals and conceding just two in the process. As you would expect from a side managed by the defence-minded Pulis, Tuesday’s hosts have made light work of keeping teams out, as they’ve kept a clean sheet in four of their five league matches, though they’ve not exactly been shy at the other end of the pitch. If the combination of useful defending and dangerous attacking play continues long term, then Middlesbrough won’t be far away from a return to the big time come May.

Outside of their league exploits, Middlesbrough did have a scare during the first round of this competition. On that occasion, they welcomed League Two’s Notts County to the Riverside, though they just about scraped though on penalties having drawn 3-3. They continued to look good going forward in that match, though for once their defensive efforts weren’t great.

Rochdale came through the last round of this competition in far less problematic fashion, as they recorded a reasonably simple 2-0 win away at Grimsby, though that remains one of their only highlights of the season. Aside from that and a 2-1 win on the opening day of the League One campaign, Rochdale have struggled.

Going forward, even when they haven’t scored, Rochdale have looked a threat this season. Keith Hill has players capable of causing teams problems, while in Ian Henderson Dale have an experienced forward who knows how to get the ball in the net. However, at the other end of the pitch, Rochdale have been nothing short of abysmal. They’ve given far too much away in each of their league games, so it’s no surprise that they’ve conceded 13 goals in five matches.

As the Championship side, the hosts really should have the quality to get at a Rochdale back-line that has been very easy to breach this season. That said, if they rotate like they did in the last round, then they could come under some pressure at the back. After all, Rochdale will have a go and they do have the quality to make headway, especially if Middlesbrough are not at full strength.

With the two teams failing to score just once between them in all competitions this season, ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ stands out at the prices.

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