Middlesbrough v Arsenal Match Preview

By Betting Zone
February 3 2007

Boro have become a force to be reckoned with in 2007, unbeaten in their seven matches in all competitions and hugely impressive 5-1 winners over Bolton in their last match at the Riverside.

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And they've done it with a real attackingverve, scoring eighteen goals in their six matches before Tuesday's goalless draw at Portsmouth.

That last result will have given rookie manager Gareth Southgate plenty of pleasure though because it was a great defensive effort, with Jonathan Woodgate outstanding at the heart of the back four.

And there's no reason why they can't continue the good work against Arsenal in this despite the Gunners also being in terrific form.

They are unbeaten in eight and that run includes seeing off arch rivals Spurs to reach the Carling Cup final, beating leaders Manchester United and two triumphs over Liverpool at Anfield.

However there were signs in the FA Cup against Bolton last week that injuries might just be starting to take their toll, which has to be factored in here even though it was the youngsters who were in Carling Cup action in midweek.

Boro have been on the wrong end of some hidings recently against the Gunners but they won this fixture last season and have already drawn at the Emirates this term.

Indeed they usually produce their best form at home against the big guns so with that in mind they could be worth an interest (+0.5, +1) on the Asian handicaps in what could develop into a cracking clash.

And we also can't resist putting up Thierry Henry at 5/4 to find the net again in what must be one of his favourite fixtures.

He's scored in six of his last seven games against Boro, netting nine goals in total, and comes into this nicely refreshed after watching the Carling Cup triumph from the sidelines.

Verdict: Middlesbrough 2 Arsenal 2

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By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.