Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Prediction: The Battle of The Bridge

Matthew O’Regan is on hand with his Chelsea vs Middlesbrough predictions, tips and bet builder preview, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side plays host to Michael Carrick’s Boro side, looking to overcome a 1-0 deficit.

Middlesbrough last won the competition in 2004 and are looking for a famous scalp to move within one game of winning it again 10 years later. With a lot at stake, I have three card bets that combine for a 111.00 treble.

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Bet Builder Tips and Prediction Preview

1. Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 1: Hayden Hackney to be Booked
2. Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 2: Conor Gallagher to be Booked
3. Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 3: Tom Glover to be Booked

Bet Builder Odds: 111.00

Also In this article:

• Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Team News
• The Battle of the Bridge, 1988, Chelsea vs Middlesbrough
• Chelesa vs Middlesbrough Stats Preview
• How to watch Chelsea vs Middlesbrough
• Safer Gambling

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Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 1: Passionate Hackney

England, EFL Cup, Tuesday 23rd January 20:00 (UK)

Refereeing this affair is John Brooks, who has shown an average of 4.86 cards per game thus far this season. He has previous with Chelsea this season, having refereed their 3-1 loss at West Ham in August, showing three cards each, on top of sending off West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd and giving a penalty to each side – more of the same on Tuesday and we could be in for a classic.

The first selection of the treble comes in the form of academy graduate Hayden Hackney. Born in Redcar, Hackney has risen through the ranks with Boro and is now a mainstay in Michael Carrick’s midfield. The 21-year-old has been linked with many Premier League sides, with his tenacity coupled with his technical ability a major stand-out in the Championship.

However, it is tenacity that often leads to him getting in the referee’s notebook, with Hackney booked six times in 17 starts. In the Championship, he is averaging 1.73 fouls per 90, even making two fouls in the return leg.

Chelsea opponents are averaging 2.86 cards per game, and Hackney is a prime candidate in what is likely to be a cagey game.

• Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 1: Hayden Hackney to be Booked
• Best Odds: 3.60
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 2: Gallagher to get stuck in to midfield battle

Speaking of tenacious midfielders, Conor Gallagher fits the bill perfectly, with the Cobham graduate becoming renowned for his dogged and determined performances, wearing his heart on his sleeve.

The 23-year-old has picked up four yellows and one red in 20 Premier League starts, as well as a late yellow in the last round against Newcastle. He is in a league of his own for fouls conceded in the Premier League, conceding 47 fouls, 14 more than second-place Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton.

Gallagher is set to captain his side as they look to overcome this deficit, so he will be expected to fire his side up.

Interestingly, a centre midfielder has been boomed against Boro in the last three league games, so don’t be surprised to see a fired-up Gallagher overstep the mark.

• Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 2: Conor Gallagher to be Booked
• Best Odds: 4.00
• Bookmaker: bet 365
• Stake: 3/10

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 3: Glover To Run Down Clock

The final selection is an ambitious selection, but one that has legs the longer Middlesbrough hold on.

With the away side expected to be against it and facing an early Chelsea onslaught, Glover may be asked to run the clock down as early as possible to frustrate the hosts.

While Glover has yet to be booked for Boro, these are exceptional circumstances, with the visitors likely to do anything to preserve their lead. The 26-year-old is no stranger to a card though, picking up two last season in the A-League, mainly for dissent.

• Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Tip 3: Tom Glover to be Booked
• Best Odds: 11.00
• Bookmaker: bet356
• Stake: 2/10

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00 , January 21st, 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Team News Preview: Injury Ladened Tie

Both sides are without many players for this one, with the squad depths really stretched to the limit. Chelsea are without Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu, Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Robert Sanchez, Romeo Lavia, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana through injury. Nicholas Jackson is also away on AFCON duty with Senegal.

Middlesbrough are likely to be without Jonny Howson and Isiah Jones, adding to the already injured quintuple of Alex Bangura, Darragh Lenihan, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Seny Dieng and Tommy Smith. Riley McGree and Samuel Silvera are also on Asia Cup duty with Australia.

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The Battle of the Bridge, Chelsea vs Middlesbrough, 1988: Boro hands the Blues sour relegation pill

The “Battle of the Bridge” in 1988, thirty-six years ago, featuring Chelsea and Middlesbrough, is remembered as one of the most intense and pivotal matches in the history of both clubs.

It’s a meeting that adds a level of spice to the upcoming meeting on Tuesday evening this week. This encounter, which took place at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, was not just a football match but a dramatic battle for survival in the First Division, the top tier of English football at the time.

Both Chelsea and Middlesbrough were embroiled in a fierce relegation battle leading up to the game. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, with both teams desperately needing a win to avoid the drop to the Second Division. This context set the stage for a highly charged and emotionally loaded confrontation.

The match itself was a gritty, hard-fought affair, reflecting the pressure and the significance of what was at stake. Chelsea, backed by their vocal home support, started strongly, showing a blend of urgency and aggression. Their play was characterised by robust challenges and a direct approach, looking to unsettle the Middlesbrough defence early on.

Middlesbrough, managed by Bruce Rioch at the time, responded in kind, matching Chelsea’s intensity with their own brand of tough, resilient football.

Up Against Lions in Ancient Rome

The visitors understood the importance of not just defending stoutly but also looking for opportunities to strike on the counter-attack. As the game progressed, tensions on the field escalated, with both sets of players fully aware that their top-flight status hung in the balance.

Every tackle, pass, and shot was loaded with significance, adding to the dramatic atmosphere of the encounter.

In the end, the match proved to be a defining moment in the season for both clubs. The result – a hard-fought draw – epitomised both teams’ determination and fighting spirit but had varying consequences for their survival in the First Division. It wasn’t enough for Chelsea.

The Shed End didn’t take too kindly to their beloved Chelsea being relegated. Hundreds of Blues fans swarmed the pitch, causing ruckuses and injuries. The Boro fans sprinted towards the player’s tunnel the quickest they’d moved all game. Once all was said and done, there were 102 arrests and 45 recorded injuries, 25 of which were sustained by police officers offering the barricade between players and fans.

After the fixture, Bryan Lonsbrough, mayor of Middlesbrough, told local reporters: “I now know how the Christians felt in the arenas of ancient Rome up against the Lions.”

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Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Stats Preview: Low-scoring affairs

• BTTS NO has landed in the last 10 meetings between the sides.
• Boro have failed to score in their last nine games at Stamford Bridge.
• Middlesbrough have the second best goal record away from home in the Championship.
• Middlesbrough have conceded 26 away goals in the league, keeping just one clean sheet in 14.

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How To Watch

• Chelsea vs Middlesbrough , EFL CUP
• Date and Time: Tuesday 23rd January, 2024 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): Sky Sports Main Event

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SAFER GAMBLING

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