26th Feb 2013 | Football
Middlesbrough v Chelsea Tip
The Blues are a force of nature in the FA Cup over the past few years. An out-of-sorts Boro surely won't stop them.
It’s hard to make any kind of case for an upset here with Middlesbrough currently the worse team in the Championship after taking four points from a possible 27 in 2013. Chelsea may have their troubles, but they are European champions, and this competition can also bring out the best in them.
The boys from the Bridge have actually gone 26 FA Cup matches without defeat (excluding one penalty shootout) - the longest ever unbeaten run in the history of the competition. They have lifted the trophy in four of the last six seasons and have only lost one of their last 52 FA Cup clashes against lower ranked sides. Compelling stats indeed.
If history and form weren’t enough for Boro to contend with, the team news is also concerning for Tony Mowbray. Josh McEachran, Kieron Dyer and Sammy Ameobi are all ineligible while Woodgate, Parnaby, Hoyte, Arca and Jutkiewicz will also miss out, through injury.
The only issue is here that Chelsea are nothing longer than 4/9 (Bet365) to win in 90 minutes. That doesn’t appeal so I’ll opt instead for the Blues to triumph by 2 goals at best odds of 7/2 with Ladbrokes. I think it will be comfortable but not a thrashing. The Riversiders will be desperate to keep things respectable while the holders have no need to go for the jugular.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 22:26 26th Feb, 2013 but subject to change
