Prediction: Swansea vs Middlesbrough

Verdict: Both teams to score – no

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Title race might be good as over, but there is still plenty of excitement in the opposite end of the table where Swansea and Middlesbrough go head to head in a relegation square off on Sunday afternoon.

Swansea

The international break came at just the perfect time for Swans, who suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League at Hull City and Bournemouth, respectively. The two defeats saw Swansea come agonisingly close to the dropping zone as they currently have three points more than Hull City in 17^th place in the table. Another potential slump would place them under great pressure and Paul Clement is well aware that his men need to take it up a notch and get back to winning ways as soon as possible. Three wins in Paul Clement’s first five games in charge showed great promise as Swansea appeared to be pulling away from the trouble. Still, a jump-start is required this weekend against Boro and it appears that key to victory will be to rediscover the scoring touch. Swansea have been held to no goals last time out, and a single shot on goal against the third worst defence in the league. The pressure will be on Fernando Llorente, the experienced Spanish striker, who is expected to help Gylfi Sigurdsson get out of the shadow of poor results. Sigurdsson’s fine performances and 11 assists in total have been unmatched, but his impressive exploits have been overshadowed by Swansea’s poor results which need to be changed as soon as possible.

Team News

Nathan Dyer has picked up an Achilles Tendon injury and will not be able to help his teammates in this crucial game.

Additionally, defender Angel Rangel is still struggling with a metatarsal fracture and is another player who will be stuck in the recovery room for this occasion.

Middlesbrough

The current campaign has been a terrible one for Middlesbrough who sit first above the rock-bottom Sunderland with only 22 points after 28 Premier League games. Aitor Karanka has paid the price for his team’s terrible results earlier in March as his time at the Middlesbrough helm was cut short much to disappointment of the Boro supporters, who have declared his time at Boro as success. The Basque boss was credited for organising defence, and the numbers are there to support the claim. Middlesbrough boast one of the best defensive records in the league, having conceded no more than 33 goals thus far. On the other side, Boro have been toothless in attack with only 20 goals scored and heading into the clash against Swansea, Middlesbrough will not have big hopes knowing that the team are nor without a win in their last 11 games. With relegation looming, Middlesbrough will be under great pressure to turn the things around, but it will be easier said than done. Middlesbrough’s away records this season have been particularly worrying, knowing that Boro are yet to record a win on the road since the opening Premier League visit this season at Sunderland.

Team News

Dani Ayala limped off the pitch at Stoke with a hamstring problem, but could be in line for a return after missing the games against City and United. The Uruguay international Christian Stuani has gone through a hectic travel schedule, coming back from the World Cup qualifiers and could be rested for the occasion.

Full-back George Friend had been playing through the pain barrier and the risky business has now made him unavailable for the remainder of the season. Calum Chambers is struggling with a stress fracture in his foot and is another unavailable player for Sunday.

Key Factors to Consider

• Middlesbrough are without a win in their last 14 away games
• Boro lost all of their last 4 matches in all competitions
• Swansea conceded whopping 63 goals in 29 EPL matches
• Fernando Llorente has scored 11 goals this term
• Middlesbrough lost last two meetings with Swansea

Conclusion

The relegation square off between the two out-of-sorts teams is unlikely to produce an eye-pleasing affair. Both sides will be concentrated on preserving their own goals and given the fact that we will see the league’s worst defence go against league’s worst attack, goals are not something that should come pouring down.

Verdict: Both teams to score – no

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365