Middlesborough V Cardiff

Based on league form it would be safe to jump to the conclusion that Boro have the upper hand. Mid table in the premiership but still not quite safe from relegation.

Boro have taken 4 wins from a possible 14 at the Riverside this season and were unlucky not to take something from Liverpool last week at Anfield losing 3 – 2. Their main problem is creativity and although Downing is playing quite well, they tend to rely heavily on his delivery from set pieces to create any clear cut scoring chances.

Cardiff are on the back of a poor run in which they have failed to win any of the last 6 league games. However they have blossomed in the FA Cup and it might be fair to say that they seem to have one eye on the cup games. Despite the recent poor results they have not been playing all that badly and I really fancy them to get a result here.

A chance to play at Wembley for the semi final is a huge incentive for any team and this is the furthest Cardiff have been in the FA Cup since they became the only Welsh side to lift the trophy way back in 1927. Now they are a mere 90 minutes away from a big day out and at this stage of the competition with Arsenal and Manchster United out, anything is possible. Winning this game for Cardiff would be no more surprising than Coventry’s victory at Blackburn in the third round, Sheffield United’s success over Manchester City in the fourth round or indeed Barnsley’s shock win at Liverpool in the fifth round. Bear in mind that Cardiff are as good if not better than any of those championship sides and Middlesborough are arguably as poor as any of the premiership teams left in the cup.

Verdict

With only 4 wins at home this year Boro are far from a great home side. Cardiff have only been beaten 5 times on the road from 18 and you can expect them to be well up for this clash. I feel that this means a bit more to Cardiff and theres not a big difference between the sides in terms of ability. Given that this is a cup tie anything can happen so im siding with the visitors. They are best priced at 6 but il take them draw no bet as they have a tendency to draw away from home.



Pick : Cardiff draw no bet
Odds : 4.20
Stake : 5 / 10
Bookmaker : Boylesports
Match Result : 0-2
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