Soccer Engine

Tip Code 008. 

Could the giant killers of the previous two seasons stop Chelsea in their tracks on Saturday at the Riverside?

In the past few season Middlesbrough have managed to achieve good results against the big 4 clubs in English football. In the 2005 / 2006 season when Chelsea were runaway champions, Middlesbrough managed a 3-0 victory over them at the Riverside stadium. The following year in the 2006 / 2007 season the defeated Chelsea again on home soil this time by a 2-1 score line. They seem to gain confidence when playing against the best of the bunch.

Chelsea are currently top of the table with Liverpool hot on their heels. Liverpool take on Wigan at 3:00 pm on Saturday which should be a relatively easy 3 points for them and so it is important that Chelsea get the job done in the morning. Chelsea are currently undefeated this season with 2 draws against Manchester United and Tottenham. Although early days Middlesbrough have had a rather up and down season not yet managing to win 2 matches in a row.

Following the international break Middlesbrough will have more or less a full strength squad available to them. Chelsea will be missing a few key players including Michael Essien, Dider Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho. Ashley Cole returns to the squad with Deco, Joe Cole and John Terry strong possibilities.

This seasons Chelsea squad at this stage in the season would comfortably over power Middlesbrough but with the injuries amongst their ranks it will be a difficult task. Chelsea are currently priced @ 1.6 which is poor value with a depleted side. Middlesbrough will no this and will not be wanting to settle for a draw here. Chelsea will not be as tight at the back because of injuries and lack of match play. With these two factors in mind it is fair to say that there will be goals. Over 2.5 goals is healthily priced at 2.2 and will rapidly grow as the game begins.

This will be an interested match up and will show how Chelsea under Scolari cope under pressure.

Match kicks of @ 12:45 CET.