Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 23/01/24
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Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 23/01/24

Giorgi Natsvlishvili

Odds via Tonybet

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough predictionJanuary 23, 3:00 PM ET
Chelsea odds-385
Middlesbrough odds+860
Draw+520
Over\Under2.5 -233 \ +175

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough. Shape of the Teams

On Tuesday, Chelsea will face Middlesbrough in the crucial second leg of the EFL Cup semifinals. In the first match, the Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat thanks to the only goal from Hayden Hackney. However, Chelsea will now play at Stamford Bridge – the ground where they are favourites against everyone.

Chelsea’s contrasting form in away matches versus their performances at home is a notable aspect of their season. The first encounter with Middlesbrough highlighted these away game challenges, but at Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino’s team tends to display a more dominant and effective style of play. They implement high-pressing and counter-pressing tactics, often giving them the upper hand over their opponents. 

In their recent home game against Fulham, the tactical deployment of Cole Palmer as a false nine and the dynamic midfield duo of Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher played a significant role in Chelsea’s performance. Palmer’s role as a false nine allowed for fluidity and unpredictability in Chelsea’s attack, while Fernandez and Gallagher, playing as attacking eights, were instrumental in progressing the ball into dangerous areas and creating scoring opportunities.

That could well translate into success in the upcoming match against Middlesbrough, especially if Christopher Nkunku recovers in time for the return leg.   

On the other side, Middlesbrough, currently 11th in the Championship under Michael Carrick’s guidance, has seen a notable turnaround in their season.

After a sluggish start, they’ve climbed to the middle of the table thanks to a significant improvement in form.

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Main Match Info

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Prediction, Odds

The first leg of the EFL Cup semifinal between Chelsea and Middlesbrough showcased Middlesbrough’s solid defensive performance, managing to keep a clean sheet. However, a deeper look into the match statistics reveals Chelsea’s dominance. 

Their prospects look even more favourable as Chelsea prepares to host the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Despite significant injury challenges, including the absence of key players like Wesley Fofana and Reece James, Mauricio Pochettino’s side has been formidable at home, evidenced by their impressive record of seven wins and one draw in their last eight matches at the venue.

Chelsea’s main challenge against Middlesbrough will be breaking through their low defensive block and guarding against their quick counter-attacks. Middlesbrough excels at this strategy and could potentially score from rapid transitions, posing a significant threat to Chelsea’s defense. 

If Chelsea concedes the first goal against Middlesbrough, it could significantly challenge their comeback, especially given their ongoing issues with chance conversion. This season has shown that under pressure, Chelsea’s younger players sometimes resort to less effective tactics, such as relying on simple crosses into the box, which may not yield results.

However, I think Chelsea will prevail in this important game and secure passage to the final. It seems likely that they will win this encounter with a handicap (-1.5).

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Betting Tip

In the last game between Chelsea and Middlesbrough, only seven corners were taken, and in their meeting a year and a half ago, there were just nine corners.  

Middlesbrough know how to tie up the opponent in the center of the field, so part of the match will not be played dangerously close to the penalty area. 

Statistically, Chelsea’s home matches have an average of 10.69 corners, while Middlesbrough’s away games see an average of 10.68 corners. 

However, considering Chelsea’s current defensive challenges due to injuries, they might adopt a more cautious approach, reducing their usual offensive thrust and corner creation. Middlesbrough’s recent defensive strategy, especially in away games, also suggests a game with fewer attacking chances. 

Taking into account the average numbers and stats, I think we will likely see under 11.5 corners in this game. 

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.

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