Burnley v Middlesbrough

Burnley vs Middlesbrough Preview

Burnley will play host to Middlesbrough in the Championship on Friday night at Turf Moor with the hosts looking to make it five league wins on the trot and in turn move themselves above Sheffield United into pole position in the table.

Middlesbrough lifted themselves up into fifth place in the Championship table on the weekend thanks to a 3-1 home win against Hull City which also made it four wins in five games for the visitors.

Burnley occupy second place in the Championship table thanks to racking up four wins on the trot in the English second tier following victories gained over the likes of Swansea City, Bristol City, Coventry City and Stoke City respectively, all of which also resulted in Burnley keeping clean sheets.

The Clarets have slipped to just two defeats so far in this season's Championship campaign which were both losses incurred away from home at Sunderland and Millwall respectively, while Scott Parkers' side have also collected a total of 10 wins within their 18 matches played to date this term.

In addition, Burnley still remain unbeaten in their eight home games at Turf Moor, and having also kept six clean sheets within these eight games as well, Burnley look in good shape to add to their points tally here on Friday night.

Middlesbrough captured a fourth win in five games in the Championship by way of recording a 3-1 home win against Hull City, and despite slipping to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers in their previous match, Boro have clinched a few important wins of late in the English second tier.

Recent wins against QPR, Luton Town and Oxford United in 4-1, 5-1 and 6-2 victories respectively have been veritable goal-fests as Middlesbrough have run riot in recent weeks but a very different game looks set to unfold at Turf Moor on Friday night.

One of the concerns for Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick is the fact that his Boro side have already slipped to six defeats within their opening 18 games of the season, joint-top for losses with Watford in teams sitting in the top six of the table.

Although Middlesbrough have registered wins on the road at Cardiff City, West Brom, QPR and Oxford United, the north-east visitors have also slipped to losses on their travels at Derby County, Sunderland and Watford respectively as well.

In addition, Middlesbrough have managed to keep just two clean sheets in their last 12 outings on the road which could haunt the visitors at Turf Moor on Friday night.

Burnley v Middlesbrough Verdict

Burnley are unbeaten in their last six meetings against Middlesbrough and having picked up four wins, the hosts look the more likely here as well.

Therefore, our main bet will be Burnley win @ 2.25

Other side bets worth considering:

Burnley win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.75

Correct Score: Burnley 1-0 @ 7.50