David vs Goliath!

Little vs Big. A classic cup duel is on the cards. The distribution of power is not only determined by the different leagues, but also the results there. With Exeter against Middlesbrough like betting odds go in a clear direction.

The two clubs are also in entirely different spheres due to their league affiliation. The hosts can’t quite manage seven million, while the visitors can’t quite manage 60. The home stadium probably also seems like a better training ground for the visitors in terms of its size. It’s no wonder, then, that most observers are calling for tip 2 on Exeter vs. Middlesbrough.

The Grecians proved in the last round that such a cup match is much more than just a paper game. Against Luton, after all for the first time in the Premier League, there was a 1-0, so Boro should be warned. Despite all this, the odds on Exeter against Middlesbrough are swinging in no surprising direction.

Exeter – statistics & current form

The Grecians are going down to the wire. That’s never a good sign. Especially when they have visitors from another league coming up.

It’s going downhill

Exeter had a useful start to the new season. Across competitions, there were six wins in the first ten games. In both league and cup, the score was zero several times at the end. Then someone pulled the plug.

In the past ten games, there has been one win and one draw. A 1-0 win in the cup against Luton and a 1-1 draw in the league against Lincoln at the weekend. In between, with the exception of the Luton match, there have been eight defeats in a row. Especially the 0:9 in the EFL Trophy against Reading seems to have been the sticking point.

The Grecians are thus in almost free fall. The goal differential in the comparative period, including the two victories, stands at 3:29. With stats like that, it’s no wonder Exeter is producing clear predictions against Middlesbrough.

A Question of Quality

I think it was predictable that Exeter could struggle this season. After winning promotion in 2022 and staying in the division under new coach Gary Caldwell, they are now in their second season. This is usually the most difficult for a promoted team.

However, it also seems to be down to the overall quality of the squad. With a 27-man squad, the Grecians have plenty of material, but the build-up seems to have been difficult.

In addition to six players from their own U18s, five players from the employment office have been added to the squad. Logically, there can also be quality, but often this way is more a sign of a lack of budget than of a creative transfer strategy.

Predicted lineup of Exeter:
Sinisalo – Hartridge, Aimson, Sweeney – Mitchell, Trevitt, Cole, Kite – Aichison – Muskwe, Scott

Middlesbrough – Statistics & current form

The men from the Riverside would like promotion, packed with a few goals and that to go. At least that would be the wish.

The Mentor

If there’s anyone who has had such wishes granted many times, it’s the visitors’ coach. Michael Carrick won almost everything there is in his illustrious career at ManUnited. Whether Premier League (5x), FA Cup (1x), League Cup (2x), Europa League (1x) and Champions League (1x), it was all there.

Now he is in his “second” coaching station since October 2022. Before that, he was in charge of Manchester Untited on an interim basis for three games. His quota was outstanding. Two wins and one draw. But things are going just as well at Middlesbrough.

In 50 appearances so far, there have been 27 wins and 16 defeats. The odds are therefore positive, as is the mood in the dressing room. The entire squad can benefit from a player of his caliber. Not only did he go through West Ham’s renowned youth system during his playing days, he was coached by Sir Alex for almost a decade. You can’t get more experience than that.

Up up and away

So he also seems to have gotten the weak start out of his mind. In the first eight starts there were, in all competitions, five defeats. This was followed by a 1-1 draw with Wednesday and then seven wins in a row, scoring 16 goals to 5. Only at the weekend they lost 0:2 against Stoke.

However, it seems overall that the transfer summer is starting to take a good turn. After the departures of Chuba Akpom (Ajax) and Martín Payero (Udinese), some observers probably wondered about the new arrivals.

Emmanuel Latte Lath (Bergamo), Lukas Engel (Silkeborg), Rav van den Berg (Zwolle) or Sam Silvera (Central Coast – AUS) are hardly sounding names. But they are between 18 and 24 and therefore perspective players. Under the leadership of Carrick, something seems to be growing. The Cup is now another test.

Predicted lineup of Middlesbrough:
Dieng – Engel, McNair, Fry, van den Berg – Howson, Barlaser – Greenwood, Crooks, Young – Coburn

Exeter – Middlesbrough Direct comparison / H2H balance

Although only one league level separates them, it has almost always done so. Accordingly, there have been no direct duels in the recent past. The only comparison is the visitors’ duel with Bolton (3:1). The hosts’ league rival was clearly put in its place. Thus, many see Exeter against Middlesbrough in the same waters in their predictions.

Exeter – Middlesbrough Tip

If it goes purely on paper and the possibilities, it is a done deal that the guests from the north are promoted. But that was probably also the assessment at Luton. However, there is a huge gap in the form table. Exeter seems to be more than ever the underdog against Middlesbrough in the odds.

Although cup evenings can be tight and long, we suspect a rather short process given the current form. The league level and performances in the respective competitions have convinced us. We say at Exeter vs Middlesbrough tip 2.