MARCELO BIELSA hit the headlines for admitting he spied on opposing teams but wouldn’t need much detective work to see how bad Middlesbrough were in midweek.
Boro were out-fought and outplayed by League Two Newport as they crashed out of the FA Cup.
Admittedly the poor Rodney Parade surface played a part but Tony Pulis’s men lacked effort and quality.
Bielsa would have watched the 2-0 defeat with interest and will expect his side to bank three points at the Riverside at lunchtime today.
I saw most of the match and couldn’t believe how bad Boro were and happy to back Leeds at 7-4 with Unibet.
The Elland Road men were knocked off the top by Norwich last week but I can’t see how they can be underdogs today.
Boro have climbed to fifth but Newport exposed weaknesses and they’re usually better away – boasting the second best record on the road in the Championship while at home 13 sides are better than them.
If you’re not sure about Leeds consider Leeds draw no bet at 10-11 with 888sport.
Another alternative is both to score as it’s trapped in five out of six league games for both teams. That pays 10-11 at Ladbrokes.
Norwich are above Leeds on goal difference and face basement boys Ipswich in the Old Farm derby tomorrow.
This looks a gimme for a side on form and while the Canaries are no bigger than 4-11 I’d be happy to take Norwich and over 2.5 match goals at 6-5 with Ladbrokes.
Elsewhere in the Championship I like Preston at Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday at home to Reading.
Moving to the Premier League and Man United, who remain unbeaten under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, head to Fulham at lunchtime.
Claudio Ranieri’s men have lost five out of six and shouldn’t be much of a match for the rampant Reds who are closing in on the top four.
United are fine on accas at 7-10 with Unibet and try on-fire Marcus Rashford to score first at 9-2 with Paddy Power.
It looks curtains for Huddersfield who have lost five in a row without scoring. New boss Jan Siewert faces another tough task as Arsenal come to town and the Gunners will be popular at 16-25 with Marathonbet.
Back-to-back draws have pushed Liverpool off the top on goal difference but they still have a game in hand over Man City.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are wobbling but should beat a Bournemouth side whose best results come at home.On the road they’ve taken just nine from 36 and have one point from four visits to Anfield.
Liverpool are of course short at 2-9 but they could win to nil at 11-10 with Paddy Power.
Things are looking up for Crystal Palace and Southampton. Palace have won two out of three and are 19-17 with Unibet to hand West Ham a fourth successive defeat. However, the Hammers showed an improvement in form by holding Liverpool on Monday so maybe one to leave alone.
Southampton are unbeaten in six having changed boss and welcome a Cardiff side who like Bournemouth are better at home. Take Saints at 4-5 with McBookie against a side who will be mourning the loss of Emiliano Sala.
Luton have notched four wins in a row despite losing boss Nathan Jones and look best bets in League One at 6-10 with Marathonbet.
I also like Sunderland, who will give £4m buy Will Grigg a debut, at Oxford. Jack Ross’s side are 19-10 at Marathonbet.
In League Two leaders Lincoln look good at just under evens at home to Northampton and I’m backing Bury at a similar price to return to winning ways at Morecambe.
Recommended Bets
- Leeds/Leeds draw no bet (1pm)
- Norwich & over 2.5 goals (Sun)
- Rashford to score first (12.30pm)
- Man United/Arsenal double
- Liverpool to win to nil
- Sunderland
- Lincoln
- Bury
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