Middlesbrough’s home games are normally extremely low scoring and it’s worth taking a chance in the under 1.5 goals market at the Riverside on Wednesday night.

Tony Mowbray’s side have played 16 home matches in all competitions this season and there have been a grand total of 28 goals scored in those fixtures, at a paltry average of 1.75 per game. The hosts have been under 2.5 goals in an incredible 13 of those 16 games, and they’ve even gone under 1.5 in seven of them; which is over 43%! These strong trends were further enhanced with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace at the weekend and there’s no reason to believe they won’t continue when Sunderland visit on Wednesday.

Martin O’Neill’s Black Cats are absolutely flying after five wins in their last six Premier League games and he’s clearly improved the side defensively in his short time at the club. The visitors have only conceded four in their last nine games (all competitions) and haven’t shipped a goal in over four hours of football; not since Barry Robson scored 16 minutes into the initial tie at the Stadium of Light.

The defensive solidity of both clubs means that a low scoring affair could well be on the cards and I think we can take a chance on under 1.5 goals at a best price of 12/5.

FA Cup Preview

The winner of this replay hosts Arsenal in the next round and that’s why you can still get some reasonably big FA Cup odds on both of these sides winning the trophy. In-form Sunderland are currently a best price 25/1 while Middlesbrough are way out at a whopping 150/1.

FA Cup Facts

Head to heads:

The last two consecutive meetings between the sides at the Riverside have ended in draws; the last of these was in 2009, when Afonso Alves and Kenwyne Jones were on target in a 1-1 stalemate. Bet Now on the full time result.

Middlesbrough:

Middlesbrough have kept clean sheets in 50% of their home games (all competitions) this season. Bet Now on the clean sheet market.

Sunderland:

Sunderland have scored first in eight of their last 10 games in all competitions. Bet Now on the team to score first market.