Exeter vs Middlesbrough predictions for Tuesday’s EFL Cup clash. Middlesbrough will be keen to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Stoke when they make the trip to lower-league Exeter in the Carabao Cup. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
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Match Live Tuesday, 31st October at 7:45 pm In:
Exeter City vs Middlesbrough Predictions
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The Duel for Quarter-Final Dominance
Key Stats
– Middlesbrough went on a spectacular nine-game scoring streak before being halted by Stoke City.
– This is Exeter’s chance to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals for the first time in history.
Middlesbrough, the Championship side, is gearing up to take on Exeter City in what promises to be a captivating EFL Cup tie on Tuesday. A victory here for Exeter would mark their first-ever progression to the quarter-finals of this competition. The League One team, Exeter, managed to surprise everyone by defeating Premier League newcomers, Luton Town, in the third round. On the other side, Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough effortlessly dispatched Bradford City with a 2-0 win.
Our Suggested Best Value Bet For This Match
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Best Value Bet Rationale
Middlesbrough’s recent form under Michael Carrick suggests they have the edge in this fixture. Even with a recent setback against Stoke, they’ve won seven of their last eight games. The Teessiders have also kept clean sheets in three of their last five matches, highlighting their defensive solidity. In contrast, Exeter’s offensive capabilities have been rather limited recently, having scored only once in their last five assignments.
Despite Exeter’s memorable victory over Luton in the last round, their overall form doesn’t inspire much confidence. Their recent run of matches in League One has them lingering near the relegation zone, highlighting the gap in class and form between the two sides.
Considering Middlesbrough’s offensive prowess and Exeter’s defensive vulnerabilities, Coburn, as a potential attacking option for Boro, stands a good chance of finding the net. The BettingTips4You Expert Rating further endorses this view, providing the final piece of evidence for this being the best value bet for the game.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Despite Exeter’s shaky start in the competition with rather unconvincing victories over Crawley Town and Stevenage, they shone brightly against Luton Town. Demetri Mitchell’s goal at the 83rd minute sealed the deal for Exeter, marking this as their second time in history progressing to the fourth round, the first being back in the 1989-90 season.
Nevertheless, that triumphant moment seems like a distant memory. Gary Caldwell’s Exeter have since been trapped in a six-game winless rut, finally snapping it with a 1-1 draw against Lincoln City recently. As the cold winter approaches, Exeter, positioned at 17th in the League One standings, are the second-lowest ranked team still in contention.
Middlesbrough’s journey has been quite the opposite. Prior to their recent stumble against Stoke City, they boasted a remarkable seven-match winning streak. Stoke’s victory not only ended Middlesbrough’s impressive run but also halted their nine-game scoring feat.
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The Squad Showdown
Exeter City: After Demetri Mitchell’s recent red card, he’s back in the starting lineup, having served his suspension. On the injury front, Jack Aitchison and Reece Cole are doubtful, creating an opportunity for the likes of Tom Carroll and Yanic Wildschut.
Middlesbrough: Their loss to Stoke could be attributed to the mounting injuries in the team. Defender Tommy Smith is out for the season with an Achilles issue. Marcus Forss, Riley McGree, and Darragh Lenihan are all side-lined. However, the return of Hayden Hackney from suspension offers a silver lining.
Key Battles to Watch
Given Exeter’s recent inability to score, Middlesbrough’s defence will look to capitalise. The duel between Exeter’s top player, Will Aimson, and Middlesbrough’s attacking forces could dictate the match’s flow. Additionally, midfield maestros Demetri Mitchell and Daniel Barlaser from each side are anticipated to have a significant influence on the game’s pace and style.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Managerial Musings
Exeter City: Their ball possession stands strong at 56.1%, but converting this to goals is their major issue. Only netting more than once since August suggests a clear area for improvement. However, their defensive line, especially players like Aimson and Hartridge, have been shining lights.
Middlesbrough: Despite their attacking strengths, they have a tendency to leak goals. Their recent defensive frailties, combined with significant injuries, are clear weaknesses. However, under Michael Carrick, their style of play, characterised by quick transitions and constant pressure, makes them a treat to watch.
As for managerial tactics, while both Gary Caldwell and Michael Carrick have their strengths, Carrick’s Premier League experience and recent successes give him an edge. Caldwell, though, needs to be wary of his over-reliance on possession football without the end product.
Analysis & Predictions
1. Match Outcome Prediction: Both Teams to Score Exeter City’s recent form suggests they’ve had a difficult time hitting the back of the net. The Grecians have failed to score more than once in a competitive match since their August victory over Reading. However, with Ryan Trevitt’s equalising header in their recent game, they managed to snap their four-match drought. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, had a nine-game scoring streak halted by Stoke City. Looking at the data, both teams seem capable of finding the goal, yet neither can claim an impervious defence. Hence, it’s likely both teams will get on the scoreboard, making “both teams to score” a logical prediction for this fixture.
2. Correct Score Prediction: 2-1 in favour of Middlesbrough Drawing insights from recent performances and historical data, we can anticipate a competitive match, but with Middlesbrough holding a slight edge. Middlesbrough have shown consistent attacking prowess, averaging 1.4 goals per game this season. Their last defeat to Stoke was a blip in a previously commendable streak of seven wins. Exeter, despite their recent struggle, can find a goal, especially at home. A 2-1 scoreline in favour of Middlesbrough aligns well with the current forms and capabilities of both teams.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Emmanuel Latte Lath One player to keep an eye on is Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath. Recently returning from illness and appearing as a substitute against Stoke, Lath poses a significant threat upfront. While the provided statistics don’t give a comprehensive goal tally for Lath, his potential involvement in the starting lineup, along with his likely motivation to prove himself post-recovery, sets the stage for him to be a key player. Given Exeter’s recent defensive vulnerabilities, Lath has a favourable chance to get on the scoresheet.
4. Corner Prediction: Middlesbrough to have more corners, with a total of 14 corners in the game Analysing the gameplay strategies of both teams provides insights into their corner statistics. Exeter City averages 6.1 corners per game, while Middlesbrough averages slightly higher with 7.1 corners. Given Middlesbrough’s slightly dominant attacking play, especially with a tendency to play wide and put balls into the box, they’re poised to win more corners than Exeter. Combining the corner averages of both teams, we can anticipate a total of approximately 14 corners in the match, with Middlesbrough winning the majority.
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