UEFA Cup final Betting Preview

What a match we have in prospect for the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday evening when Middlesbrough, who have performed miracles to overcome Basle and Steaua Bucharest in the last two rounds, face a Sevilla side that lave lost just one of their last thirteen matches in all competitions, and are currently fifth in the Primera Liga. Steve McLaren must be on cloud nine at present. He has been confirmed as the man to take over the reigns of the top job, managing the national side when the Swede, Sven Goran Eriksson, departs after the World Cup, and now has the chance to cap his final season as Boro boss by leading the Red Lions to UEFA Cup glory. Soho Square officials were understandably keen to secure the services of someone with a wholesome image to lead the national side, and whom will be effective from a PR point of view following the revelations of debauchery that have surrounded the amorous Sven for much of his tenure as England head coach. With the PR activity in mind, one of the first things McLaren's new paymasters are said to have insisted upon was that he get his gnashers sorted - aligned, whitened and brightened! Oh how he would like to show those pearly whites off with a beaming smile after Wednesday's final in Eindhoven! Even now, it's still hard to believe that Boro have managed to get through the last two rounds. In the second legs of the rounds in question, the Riverside outfit found themselves in a precarious position on home soil, set to go out on the away goal rule until last gasp strikes from the Kojak-bald Massimo Maccarone saved the day on each occasion. Sevilla's pathway to the Final hasn't been as explosive, but it certainly hasn't been any easier - they eliminated previous tournament favourites Schalke in the semi-final - and Juande Ramos' charges have been a model of consistency in Spain's equivalent to the Premiership, in which they are currently a highly creditable fifth. As such, they are already guaranteed a UEFA Cup spot next season, but could yet pip Osasuna for fourth place, thus sneaking into the Champions League, which would be an incredible achievement considering that two of their star players, Juan Baptista and Sergio Ramos, have defected to other clubs. Conversely, Middlesbrough's domestic league campaign has been shrouded with bewildering inconsistency. Astonishingly, in a campaign in which they have beaten both Chelsea and Man Utd, they have suffered some humiliating defeats, including against local rivals Sunderland, and have finished a decidedly disappointing 14th in the Premiership - not a position that befits their undoubted quality. However, as their performances against Basle and Steaua Bucharest proved, the Boro hierarchy have certainly been allowing their players three weetabix on the mornings of their UEFA Cup assignments, and if in a similar mood on Wednesday evening, they will be a tough collective nut to crack. Boro will need captain Gareth Southgate at his very best to marshall the defensive line with Chris Riggott, as the Teessiders will be facing two deadly predators in Fredi Kanoute and, perhaps most of all, Javier Saviola. By the same token, the Spaniards will have their defensive hands well and truly full if Boro's strikers - Hasselbaink, Maccarone and Viduka among them - are on song. Personally, I think that Boro can do it, although I'm not willing to put my money where my mouth is; if this game were to be played at the Riverside, they'd be stone-cold certs in my book. But Sevilla look the more comfortable side away from home, appearing less reliant on home advantage, which will stand them in good stead in this final, which is played on mutual turf in Holland. Both teams are capable of scoring - and scoring plenty - but, unlike in the rounds leading up to this final, there will be no second leg in which to salvage something, therefore both sides are bound to adopt a more cautious approach, both aware of their rivals' attacking prowess. With this in mind, it's probably wise to swerve trying to predict the outcome, in terms of who will prevail, and instead focus on the total goals market, in which Blue Square's offering of 2-3 goals at odds of 21/20 makes most appeal. In their last six matches in this competition, Boro have averaged nearly 1.7 goals per game, while Sevilla have averaged just over 1.3 per game in their last six UEFA Cup fixtures, stats which point to three goals being scored in this final. However, we all know how true the adage that 'games aren't played on paper' is - indeed, many of us will have learnt this, much to our financial detriment - but, even if both sides do play tight, it's hard to envisage this clash producing less than two goals. All in all, backing 2-3 goals looks as good a bet as any. Recommended Bet: 2pts on 2-3 goals in total goals market at 21/20 (Blue Square)OUR RECOMMENDED FREE BETS FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ARE:#1 Betfair Bonus £25 Free Bet.#2 Ladbrokes £25 Free Bet.#3 Paddypower Bonus £20 Free Bet.#4 Bwin £20 Bonus.