With Chelsea on the verge of securing the premier league title, and Middlesbrough all but certain to be leaving the league, this is certainly a game of contrasts. There will still be fire in the belly of the Chelsea players as they look to end the season in good form (with ten wins in their last 12 premier league and cup matches) and a few points ahead of their closest rival, Tottenham, who effectively blew their title chances last week against West Ham.
Understandably, with Chelsea at home and in good form, they’re heavy odds on, at 2/11. Having players back from injuries, doesn’t hurt either. There’s certainly not much meat on the bone at those odds though, so I’d be more likely to opt for a Chelsea / Chelsea HF – FT result at 8/13. Granted those aren’t amazing odds, but I see this as being the likely outcome. Chelsea have more strength up front and in defense, in fact they dominate across the board. I could certainly see this being something of a goalfest if Middlesbrough concede early, which could suggest that ‘Any Other Score’ at 9/4 with Betfair is a decent bet (one that relies on Chelsea scoring 4 goals or more).
Of course, whenever anyone coins a game a potential goalfest, it turns into a nil – nil, but hopefully not. Middlebrough haven’t won at Stamford Bridge in forty years and I can’t see them keeping a clean sheet either. Should be an exciting game!