Fulham VS Middlesbrough Match Prediction

The last six games between the two sides have been very evenly split, with Fulham and Middlesbrough each claiming a pair of wins, while the other two remaining matches were draws. 

When the teams met in the Championship last season, Fulham held Middlesbrough to a 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium, but Karanka's men were able to record a 2-0 win when they visited Craven Cottage later in the season, with Fulham reduced to 10 men after Richard Stearman's late red card.

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Fulham v Middlesbrough: Prediction

Fulham have a good chance of causing an upset here as it is unlikely there will be a very strong team named by Middlesbrough for this EFL Cup tie, with Karanka prioritising Premier League survival. Boro signed a lot of players over the summer and Karanka could use this as a chance to give them the opportunity to shine. 

For Fulham, being at home might well give them the edge as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the season, with extra-time possibly needed to split the teams and decide who goes through to the third round of the competition.

Fulham v Middlesbrough: Betting Tips

A price of 7/5 on Middlesbrough to win this EFL Cup tie in 90 minutes does not particularly appeal, with the 5/2 on the draw looking a much better option. Fulham can be backed at 9/4 to win the game in 90 minutes but it would be a lot safer to back the hosts to qualify at 6/5.

Neither team has been very strong at the back so far this season so both teams to score stands out as a fine bet at a price of 7/9, while the odds of 5/1 Fulham to win and both teams to score in the match look to be outstanding value too.

Having been unbeaten in all five of their matches so far this season there are unlikely to be too many radical changes made by Fulham, who drew 2-2 against Cardiff City at the weekend. The sales of star strikers Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele to Aston Villa and Celtic respectively does not seem to have had a major impact, with talented youngster Ryan Sessegnon on target at the weekend. Fulham have a young team but Scott Parker has bags of experience in midfield.

Fulham likely XI:

Aitor Karanka is likely to rotate his squad for this EFL Cup tie having taken four points from three games in the Premier League so far this season, with Daniel Ayala potentially in line for his first start of the campaign as he continues his recovery from injury. David Nugent, Alex Baptiste and Viktor Fischer are among the players Karanka could bring into his team for this match, with goalkeeper Victor Valdes again expected to sit out through injury.

Middlesbrough likely XI:

Middlesbrough do not seem that fussed about the EFL Cup, with the Premier League more important for them this season, so this is a great chance for Fulham to book a place in the next round. It might well go to extra-time, but Fulham are backed to go through.

Fulham have conceded in their last four matches this season, while Middlesbrough are yet to keep a clean sheet from their two Premier League games.