Middlesbrough relegation from Premier League almost certain

Middlesbrough are priced about 1/7 to be relegated from the Premier League following their 2-0 defeat by Manchester United.


Goals from Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park helped United open up a six-point lead over Liverpool at the top but it's looking bleak for Boro.

The defeat leaves Boro in 19th place and likely to be playing in the Championship next season as they're 3 points adrift with an inferior goal difference and only three games to play.

Middlesbrough's next match will go a long way to determining their fate as they make the short journey to St James' to take on Newcastle.

The Magpies, who are in action against Liverpool on Sunday, have been eased slightly for the drop on the back of Middlesbrough's defeat, but are still priced at 1/3.

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West Brom, Stoke and Middlesbrough all odds-on to be relegated

While the Premier League title looks done and dusted (despite Liverpool's stunning 4-1 win at Old Trafford on the weekend) the battle at the other end is attracting plenty of betting attention.

Stoke lost 3-1 at Everton and are in 18th spot, Middlesbrough needed a late Marlon King goal to earn a 1-1 home draw against Portsmouth but sit 19th, while the Baggies are away at West Ham on Monday and are rooted at the foot of the table.

As a result Middlesbrough are now 3rd favourites at evens (2.00) at Paddy Power for the drop while Stoke are second favourites for relegation at 10/11 (1.91) at Bet365.

West Brom seem doomed, and the best price is just 1/10 (1.10) at PaddyPower ahead of the Monday night game.

If you are looking at teams outside the bottom three to become entangled in the battle then there are some good prices available.


Newcastle are only clear of relegation by goal difference and are at 15/8 (2.88) at PaddyPower while Portsmouth are in the same situation and are priced at 10/3 (4.33) at VCBet.

Blackburn lost 4-0 at Arsenal on Saturday and have significant injury woes, and are just one point clear, making the 6/1 (7.00) at VCBet quite appealing.

Sunderland are only three points clear of the drop zone after losing to Wigan at the Stadium of Light and are priced at 15/2 (8.50) at PaddyPower

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Relegation battle looms for Pompey

The pressure is building on Portsmouth following their 3-1 defeat at Fulham.

Portsmouth are still a point clear of the drop zone but the bookmakers now offer only 5/2 about Portsmouth being relegated at the end of the season having been 12/5 before the trip to Craven Cottage.
(best prices are at Ladbrokes and Bet365)

Middlesbrough are second bottom after a 0-0 home draw against Blackburn and Boylesports now have Boro at 7/4 for the drop.

In contrast Blackburn Rovers are as big as 6/1 with Ladbrokes to finish in the bottom three.

Tottenham are again being dragged into the relegation dogfight after a 3-2 loss at Bolton and Spurs are 13/2 from 8s to drop into the Championship.

RELATED LINK :
Get all the live betting Premier League odds quoted at Bookielabrat.com

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EPL : Middlesbrough 8-1 Man City - so long Sven !

Sven-Goran Eriksson's anticipated final match in charge of Manchester City ended in humiliating fashion as his 10-man side lost 8-1 at Middlesbrough.

The former England boss has guided the club to ninth in the Barclays Premier League and a likely place in the UEFA Cup via the Fair Play League but that does not appear enough to save his job.

Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed his disappointment with the final outcome of Eriksson's 10 months in charge and the former Thai Prime Minister is fully expected to dispense with the Swede's services sooner rather than later.

That is much to the disgust of City's supporters, who chanted their support for the Swede throughout the match.

The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute when Tuncay raced on to a long ball and, as he entered the penalty area, he accidentally caught Dunne's leg as the defender tried to get back. The City captain was harshly dismissed by referee Phil Dowd and Stewart Downing clinically dispatched the penalty.

Later on in the first half Rochemback went forward, and he picked out compatriot Afonso Alves who slotted home left-footed in the 37th minute.

Downing scored again in the 57th minute when, after Boateng's right-wing cross was knocked on, he smashed a superb volley with the outside of his left foot inside the far post to end the match as a contest.

Two minutes later, Afonso Alves made it 4-0 when he raced on to Arca's through-ball to stab past Isaksson. Chris Riggott then had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside as Boro threatened to run riot.

City's luck was obviously not in as, in the 70th minute, Boro grabbed a fifth when Johnson's long-range shot was deflected past Isaksson.

Rochemback made it 6-0 with a 30-yard free-kick 10 minutes from time and substitute Aliadiere fired home the seventh in the 85th minute.

Elano scored a consolation before Afonso Alves completed his hat-trick.

VIDEO LINK :
Middlesbrough 8 - 1 Manchester City

15 R. Dunne (red card Man City)
16 [1 - 0] S. Downing (penalty kick)
37 [2 - 0] A. Alves
58 [3 - 0] S. Downing
60 [4 - 0] A. Alves
70 [5 - 0] A. Johnson
80 [6 - 0] F. Rochemback
85 [7 - 0] J. Aliadiere
87 [7 - 1] E. Blumer
90 [8 - 1] A. Alves

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