FREE TIP FOR 11.02.2017

Middlesbrough v Everton 11.02.2017/ England Premier

 

 A game of out of form versus in form if ever there was one. Boro come into this on a seven-match winless streak in the league, one which has left them perilously close to a relegation zone they have managed to avoid all season so far. Goals continue to be a problem - just three times has the net been found in those games - and against an Everton team in decent nick, that has to be a concern. 

Romelu Lukaku managed four on his own last week in the 6-3 win over Bournemouth, a result which made it five wins (and just one cup loss) from their last eight. The Belgian is now the league's leading scorer although whether he can continue his exploits against a defence which has proved tough to breach this season has to at least be open to question and I see no value in backing him at a shade of odds-against in the anytime scorer market. 

 Everton probably should win this given how they've performed of late - they've won at Boro's fellow strugglers Palace and Leicester recently and also claimed a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture when they were in similar good form back in the autumn. If you are considering backing them, then it may well be worth doing so to win by a single goal. Eight of Boro's 11 losses have been by that margin and in this market you can get 11/4 as opposed to 11/10. For those looking for something bigger, James McCarthy has potential as an alternative to Lukaku in the anytime betting. With both Gareth Barry and Morgan Schneiderlin in the starting XI against Bournemouth, McCarthy got licence to get forward more and duly had a bigger influence on the game.

 He was rewarded with a goal, albeit a fortuitous one, but the point is he was getting into positions which make Paddy Power's 11/1 quote simply too big. With plenty of focus on Lukaku, McCarthy's late runs into the box could be key to unlocking the home defence. Of course, Ronald Koeman could well shuffle his pack again for this away game so this may be one worth waiting for team news, although by then the price will probably have been taken.

Middlesbrough without: G.Friend; G. Ramirez 

 Everton without: Y.Boalsie; D.Calvert-Lewin

 

 

Middlesbrough v Everton prediction: 2 @ 2,15