da doce： Midweek action returns to the Premier League with a full set of fixtures taking place tonight and tomorrow night.
da 888casino： One of those games is a tasty match between Middlesbrough and Liverpool at the Riverside Stadium. There’s a lot at stake for both sides, as Jurgen Klopp needs a win to keep pace with the other top four sides, while Aitor Karanka would love three points to keep clear of the relegation fight.
It’ll be an interesting tactical battle, too. Only four teams have conceded fewer league goals than Middlesbrough this season, Liverpool are not among them. On the flipside Liverpool have scored more goals than any other team in the league, Middlesbrough having scored the fewest.
That juxtaposition means everyone will be keeping a keen eye on what goes down on Wednesday night. Which style will come out on top?
We reckon there’s a chance of an upset and here are THREE reasons why…
Liverpool’s poor form
After such a storming start to the season, Klopp’s Liverpool have started to show signs that they’re not quite cut out to be title contenders.
A tough 0-0 draw away to Southampton was compounded by a poor defeat away to Bournemouth after a hard-fought win over Sunderland. Just this weekend they were held at Anfield, West Ham surprising everyone with a creditable point.
If the Klopp bubble has indeed burst, that could open the door for Middlesbrough, who have already picked up points against Arsenal and Manchester City this season. They also ran Chelsea close at home last month with only the red-hot Diego Costa getting on the scoresheet.
The only worry for Boro would be that as a result of said poor form, Liverpool will be more motivated than ever to pick up a strong win on the road.
Liverpool don’t enjoy a trip to the Riverside
The two sides haven’t met in league action since back in 2009, but throughout the 2000s Liverpool did not enjoy a trip to the North East to play Boro.
Middlesbrough are undefeated in their last seven home encounters with Liverpool, a record which stretches from 2009 back to 2002.
If they can tap into the spirit of that era they could just give the home fans something they’ve become accustomed to seeing, a result against the Reds.
The last match between the teams at the Riverside ended in a 2-0 win for Boro with an Alonso own goal helping sink the Anfield side.
Loris Karius
Karius has been the weak link in Liverpool’s armour this season. That’s never been more apparent than in their last two Premier League fixtures.
Errors against both Bournemouth and West Ham prevented victories for Klopp’s side and if Middlesbrough can exploit the 23-year-old’s lack of experience again, they could be in for a good night at the Riverside.
Liverpool have conceded a massive 20 goals this season, only one team in the table’s top half have conceded more.
It’s that defensive record and the form of Karius that will give Boro fans hope most of all heading into Tuesday night’s fixture.