Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth Betting Tips

Middlesbrough and Portsmouth have both started their respective campaigns with a good deal of intent, therefore it's perfectly reasonable to suspect that a cracking game featuring some real pyrotechnics is in the offing when they clash at the Riverside Stadium on Monday evening. Although beaten by Reading in their opening match, Boro lost no caste in defeat in that fixture - they dominated the game for long periods but it's never easy when you're playing a newly promoted side in their own backyard on the opening day of the season. Just ask the mighty Liverpool, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield United! However, Gareth Southgate's charges bounced back in no uncertain terms - demonstrating real mettle in the process - when overturning a 1-0 deficit to beat reigning champions Chelsea 2-1 at home last week. That performance augured well for the perils that lay ahead, as Boro didn't stop trying, even when it seemed that they were fighting a losing battle, and two goals within the last ten minutes saw them justly rewarded for their never-say-die approach. For their part, Pompey have started the season in good style too. They trounced the visiting Blackburn on the opening day of the season and played out a 0-0 draw against Man City at Maine Road subsequently, which wasn't a bad result by any means. Portsmouth coach Harry Redknapp has the midas touch when it comes to wheeling and dealing in the transfer market. David Thompson, Sol Campbell, Nwankwo Kanu and David James were all great signings. The Nigerian, Kanu, gave an instant on Harry's belief in him when scoring two of Pompey's three goals against Blackburn, and the pairing of him and Lualua up front makes for an enthralling double-act. Over the years these two sides have been evenly matched, something which is borne out by the stats - they've met on exactly 100 occasions with Boro prevailing 38 times, Portsmouth 36 times, and 26 encounters ending level. Chances are, as these figures suggest, this match will be tight. Indeed, five of the last eight meeting between them have ended all square. Last season, Portsmouth's away form was what got them caught up in a relegation dogfight - they lost 13 of their 19 matches on rival turf, and conceded more goals than any other team on their travels, 38, which equates to two goals per game. This is an area that Redknapp will no doubt focus on, so Pompey will probably be a lot harder to break down this season. In hindsight, they were probably a bit to gung-ho on occasions last season, which left the vulnerable at the back. Although Boro are generally strong at the Riverside, only Sunderland conceded more goals then them at home last season, so it's fair to say that defensive frailties have also been their downfall. However, Southgate does have a lot of quality in his side and, being an ex International-level defender himself, one envisages Boro will also be tightening up at the back. In essence, even at this stage of the season, this a game both sides will be desperate to get a result from. The way I see this match unfolding is that it will be close in the first half, is that it will be quite tactical in the first half, and that neither team will be willing to commit to heavily in attack. However, after the interval the tempo will increase. Boro finish their games strongly - they have a habit of getting decisive goals very late in matches - and I fancy them to do just that against Portsmouth. With this in mind, the value bet lies in backing draw/Middlesbrough in the double result market at 4/1 with Blue Square. verdict - 1pt draw/Middlesbrough in the double result market @ 4/1 (Blue Square)