Rearguard action key to keeping Middlesbrough in the Premier League

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka needs to find a solution to a lack of creativity in his team

Middlesbrough picked up a point away to Watford following a goalless draw at Vicarage Road on Saturday, and the rearguard action of the newly-promoted club looks to be keeping Boro outside of the relegation zone at the mid-point of the season.

Aitor Karanka’s men have struggled for goals, but given they can rely on their defence to shut out the opposition, it’s meant they are still capable of adding to their points tally with draws.

Only the top-six have a better defence than Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough are currently 16th in the Premier League table with 20 points from 21 games. They have scored just 17 goals this season but have conceded only 22 goals at the other end. Only Tottenham Hotspur (14), Chelsea (15) and Manchester United (20) have conceded fewer goals in the league than the North-East outfit and such a resilient defensive record is keeping Middlesbrough away from the bottom-three even if they aren’t scoring.

Karanka’s men have kept seven clean sheets from the 21 games this season, only Chelsea (12) and Tottenham Hotspur (9) have more. Middlesbrough have conceded more than one goal in a game just six times in 2016/17, picking up four win to nils and four goalless draws. Such defensive resilience has meant they offer little threat at the other end of the pitch, failing to score in nine games this season, but not conceding cheap goals could be key to keeping Middlesbrough in the top-flight.

Superior goal difference will be key in the survival race

Middlesbrough haven’t abandoned their defensive philosophy regardless of how games are going and it’s mean their goal difference in the best in the bottom-half of the Premier League table. Boro have a -5 GD after 21 games this season, and will be above any club 11th and below in the table if the two sides are locked on points. The relegation battle could be tight in the second half of the season and knowing they only need to stay level on points with their opponents is a major boost.

The likes of bottom-three trio Hull City (-25), Sunderland (-20) and Swansea City (-26) are miles off Middlesbrough and it could prove costly. Boro are four points clear of the relegation places but should the sides below them in the table start to make up ground, it’s still advantage-Karanka’s side unless they leapfrog Middlesbrough on points. Middlesbrough are 1/6 to stay up in the Premier League this season.

Can the North-East club deliver?