Our prediction for this Championship match:
Middlesbrough
Match Time & Date:
18/12/2021
13:30
Prediction: 1-1
Bournemouth
Riverside Stadium will host Saturday’s Championship game between Middlesbrough and Bournemouth, the two top-table sides. The Boro have been in a fine form of late, with the team beating both Huddersfield and Swansea, while sharing the spoils with Stoke City. Even though all Duncan Watmore, Isaiah Jones, Matt Crooks, and Marcus Browne are out of contention with injuries. The Cherries, on the other hand, aim to put an end to their five-game winless run.
Since Bournemouth have been struggling to find their best form in December, we believe that punters from all around the globe can find value in betting on draw. Both Jordan Zemura and Junior Stanislas miss out with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the away team. In their last meeting at Riverside Stadium the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Bournemouth):
Bournemouth are a professional football club that was formed back in 1890. The Cherries secured promotion to the Premier League in the 2015/2016 season, with the team making it to the English top flight for the first time ever.
Bournemouth play their home games at Dean Court and the capacity of the stadium is 11,469.
The Cherries enjoyed a very successful season on their Premier League debut, with the team beating the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the national championship. Glenn Murray scored the winner for Bournemouth in the 1-0 win over the capital club at Stamford Bridge and that is probably the greatest victory in the club’s history.
Bournemouth have been participating in the FA Cup since 1913, but they have yet to win the trophy in the prestigious competition. It has to be noted that the club’s original name Boscombe Athletic Football Club was changed to Bournemouth back in 1923 as the club owners wanted the Cherries to be more representative of the district.
