Middlesbrough vs Arsenal - Premier League preview and odds

Published on: 17/04/2017

Middlesbrough vs Arsenal - Premier League preview and odds

April 17, 2017 20:00pm - Riverside Stadium

Premier League

Middlesbrough will look to end a 14 game unbeaten run when they host an out-of-sorts Arsenal at the Riverside Stadium on Monday night.

Both teams suffering from end of season blues

Arsenal`s trouble have been well reported but they pale in comparison to those faced by league newcomers Middlesbrough. The northeast club have not won a match in this calendar year and have slipped deep into the relegation zone, six points from safety. Since disposing of manager Aitor Karanka, their form has got even worse and survival now looks unlikely.

The only positive for Boro is that they have drawn two of their last three games, against fellow strugglers Swansea City and Burnley but their last win (against Swansea) came back in the middle of December. With morale at an all-season low, a win against the sixth-ranked side seems unlikely but they may be buoyed by the fact that they did come away from the Emirates Stadium with a point following a goalless draw back in October.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger has admitted that his side faces "a massive challenge" as they seek to regain their place in the Premier League`s top four. The Gunners have lost their last four away matches in a row and have only won two of their last eight games overall. As a result, they have dropped to seventh place in the table, 10 points adrift of the top four, but with games in hand.

Team news

Middlesbrough defender Calum Chambers is unable to face his parent club and will miss out along with Da Silva (concussion) and James Husband (knock), while Gaston Ramirez (ankle sprain) and George Friend (calf strain) are both doubtful.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to cope without David Ospina (back), Lucas Perez (thigh) and Santi Cazorla (achilles), while Laurent Koscielny (achilles) and Petr Cech (calf strain) are both doubtful.

Recent form (League)

Middlesbrough: DLDLL

Arsenal: LWDLL

Betting odds and tips

Middlesbrough have failed to win any of their last 14 matches, including their last six on home soil. Arsenal have managed to score at least one goal in 87% of their away matches but they have lost their last four in a row. However, despite their woes, this is a game that Arsenal should win without conceding a goal.

You can back the away Win to Nil at 8/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 17/04/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (17/04/2017 15:25:34) but are subject to change.