Middlesbrough v Aston Villa Prediction: Visitors to win entertaining affair

Middlesbrough are through to the EFL Cup semi-finals against Chelsea but must first turn their attention to a third-round FA Cup matchup with high-flying Aston Villa.

The Villans are up to second in the Premier League after a strong first half of the season and will be hoping to translate that form into this televised fixture.

Here we pick out the best bets for this FA Cup game.

Match Odds

Aston Villa can be backed at 8/15 for the victory, while Middlesbrough are 5/1 outsiders and the draw is available at 16/5.

Team News

Middlesbrough have a number of absentees with Seny Dieng, Sam Silvera and Riley McGree away at the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup respectively.

Meanwhile their treatment room is looking crowded too with Darragh Lenihan,Tom Smith, Lewis O'Brien, Marcus Forss, Hayden Hackney, Patrick McNair, Matt Crooks and Emmanuel Latte Lath all expected to miss this clash.

Bertrand Traore will be absent for Aston Villa while at AFCON, with Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Lucas Digne and Robin Olsen all injured.

Matty Cash and Youri Tielemans are doubts but Boubacar Kamara has served his three-match ban and is available for selection.

Aston Villa to win & both teams to score @ 15/8

Aston Villa have been impressive this season, they currently sit just three points behind league leaders Liverpool and have been dominant in the Europa Conference League.

The Villans have won eight of their last 12 games in all competitions and are fancied to get the better of a Middlesbrough side that have lost three of their last four matches at home.

Nevertheless, Boro know the way to goal and can get on the scoresheet, having scored 38 goals in the league this season

Both teams have found the net in Villa’s last five away games and eight of their nine cup games this term have gone over 2.5 goals so take the visitors to win an exciting encounter.

Leon Bailey to score anytime @ 2/1

The efforts of Ollie Watkins have been crucial to Aston Villa’s success this season but Leon Bailey has flown under the radar in terms of his effectiveness for Unai Emery’s team.

The Jamaican has nine goals in all competitions and can feature out wide or as part of a duo with Watkins.

Bailey could be the value selection to get on the scoresheet against a Boro team that have been leaky recently.

Place an In-Play bet of £10 or more (at odds of 1/2 or greater) on any FA Cup game this Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use on any FA Cup game on Sunday.

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