The league leaders are still unbeaten at home

As the 2022 Winter World Cup in Qatar enters the home stretch, one or two leagues have already resumed their regular fixtures. With 46 matchdays in the regular season, the English Championship also has little time for rest.

On the fourth weekend of Advent, the 23rd matchday is on the agenda in the English substructure. At the end of the first half of the season, leaders Burnley and Middlesbrough face each other, with the bookmakers clearly favouring a home win.

Last season’s relegation was seemingly more of a blessing than a curse for the Wine Reds, as things have changed under new coach Vincent Kompany. The style has become much more attractive and they have found their feet in the tough Championship.

With 44 points, Burnley are at the top of the table, while the visitors from Middlesbrough can look back on a disastrous start to the season, but have recently shown a strong upward trend in form. Nevertheless, odds of just over 2.00 are offered on the home side in the Burnley vs Middlesbrough clash.

Definitely an argument for this bet is the Clarets’ home record, having yet to taste defeat at home to Turf Moor in 2022/23. They averaged 2.27 in front of their home crowd. The next treble is scheduled for Saturday from 4pm.

Burnley – Statistics & current form

When long-serving head coach Sean Dyche was sacked last season, it was met with incomprehension from the fans. Despite a precarious situation, Dyche had enormous backing, but the new owners wanted a change of course.

They were not rewarded and relegation could not be avoided. Sometimes, however, a step back is necessary to move forward. In the Premier League, Burnley were a team that still practised the old-fashioned kick-and-rush and did not want to get used to modern football.

Best offence in the league

Until a few months ago, the neutral football fan was not inclined to watch a Clarets game, for the football was not particularly attractive. However, under former Belgian top star Vincent Kompany, this has changed noticeably. The relegation was followed by a rejuvenation of the squad, with particular emphasis on young, talented players. Ian Maatsen, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Anass Zaroury, Jordan Beyer & Co. are all at the beginning of their careers, but important pillars.

In addition, Burnley are now trying to determine the game themselves, which means that there is much more danger in the forward play. After 22 league games, Burnley have scored 43 goals, which is the best attack in the Championship. With 44 points, Burnley are already eight points clear of the play-off places and thus have the best chance of a direct return to the Premier League.

Burnley have only lost twice so far, both away from home. At home on Turf Moor, there has not been much reason for the competition to cheer so far. Nine of the 13 home games were won, four times the points were shared. With these figures, the odds of just over 2.00 on a home win between Burnley and Middlesbrough are absolutely justified.

In terms of personnel, top scorer Jay Rodriguez will be absent, having been substituted with an injury in the 3-0 away win against Queens Park Rangers last weekend. Ex-Cologne man Darko Churlinov and veteran Ashley Westwood are also injured, while winger Anass Zaroury will be allowed to join Morocco in Qatar on Saturday in a bid for third place at the 2022 World Cup.

Predicted Burnley line-up:
Muric – Maatsen, Beyer, Harwood-Bellis, Vitinho – Cullen, Cork – Tella, Brownhill, Gudmundsson – Barnes

Last games played by Burnley:

Championship
11/12/2022 – Queens Park Rangers 0 – 3 Burnley

13/11/2022 – Burnley 3 – 0 Blackburn

Carabao Cup
09/11/2022 – Burnley 3 – 1 Crawley

Championship
05/11/2022 – Sheffield United 5 – 2 Burnley

03/11/2022 – Burnley 3 – 2 Rotherham

Middlesbrough – Statistics & current form

Seventh in the table, Boro missed out on the coveted play-off places last season by a whisker in their battle to return to the Premier League. After a disappointing start to the season – only two wins from eleven games – head coach Chris Wilder had to vacate his chair. After five games under interim coach Percovich, long-time professional and international Michael Carrick was presented as the new head coach.

Carrick with impressive record

Carrick’s debut under the 41-year-old went wrong (2-1 defeat against Preston North End), but since then his form has been on a steep upward curve. In the last five league games, the Red and Whites achieved 13 out of a possible 15 points. Only in the duel with Bristol City in front of the home crowd did Carrick have to settle for a draw, the other four games were won. These included an away win at promotion hopefuls Norwich City.

On their league return last weekend after the short World Cup break, Carrick’s side scored a last-minute winner against Luton Town. Substitute midfielder Matt Crooks was the match-winner in the 91st minute. Boro now have 30 points to their name and are back in the play-off places. Sixth place is only four points away. However, one must not forget to look downwards, because the first relegation place is also only six points away.

Looking in detail at the results so far this season, it is exciting to see that Middlesbrough not only have an even 8-6-8 record, but are still a team that is difficult to beat. Only in the 0-2 defeat against Milwall did Boro have to concede with a two-goal difference, while the remaining seven defeats all ended with only a one-goal difference.

Predicted Middlesbrough line-up:
Steffen – Giles, Lenihan, Fry, Smith – Howson, Hackney – McGree, Akpom, Jones – Forss

Last games played by Middlesbrough:

Championship
10/12/2022- Middlesboro 2 – 1 Luton

Friendly club matches
26/11/2022 – Hibernian 0 – 2 Middlesboro

Championship
12/11/2022 – Norwich 1 – 2 Middlesboro

09/11/2022 – Blackpool 0 – 3 Middlesboro

05/11/2022 – Middlesboro 1 – 1 Bristol City

Burnley – Middlesbrough Direct comparison / H2H record

The two sides face each other for the first time since the 2016/17 season, when both teams were promoted to the Premier League. Burnley were able to confidently celebrate their relegation thanks in part to four points from the direct clash with Boro, while Middlesbrough had to cope with relegation after just one year.

In general, trips to Turf Moor have rarely been crowned with success for Middlesbrough in the past. In 34 attempts, there have only been a meagre six victories, while the Clarets have rejoiced 19 times. The historical direct comparison between the teams is very home-heavy overall, which also argues in favour of predicting success for the league leaders in Saturday’s clash between Burnley and Middlesbrough.

Burnley – Middlesbrough Tip

According to the current form table in the Championship, this clash at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon is an absolute top match. Under Michael Carrick, Middlesbrough have finally been able to put on the performances that have been expected all autumn. Nevertheless, the visitors are quite rightly the clear underdogs, as the Clarets present themselves in captivating form under Vincent Kompany.

So far this season, the leaders are still without defeat at home. Despite the good form of the visitors, betting on the home side between Burnley and Middlesbrough is recommended at odds of over 2.00. Burnley now play very attractive football, which is characterised by many goal scenes and goals. In addition to the recommendation of five units for the home win, a bet on the over 2.5 or the tip “both teams score” is also an obvious option.