23-07-2007 Premiership Betting Preview for 2007/08 Season - Middlesbrough - from Pinnacle Sports

Gareth Southgate had a very mixed first season in charge of Middlesbrough football club. Having been given special dispensation allowing him to take first managerial post despite lacking a UEFA coaching badge, he saw his side humbled in the opening game of last season at newcomers Reading, before beating Chelsea at the Riverside, then followed that stunning victory with a 4-0 home defeat by Portsmouth.

Boro Seeking Illusive Consistency
Clearly the inconsistency that has plagued Boro in recent seasons, remains and presents a major obstacle to the ambition of European qualification via the league. The Teessiders’ eventually finished the season in 12th position, but ended on a poor run of results, which included just three wins from their final 13 games in all competitions. There has been some significant, negative transfer activity at the club, with the loss of striker, Mark Viduka, to North East rivals, Newcastle, a blow to Southgate. The rumoured departure of Viduka’s ex-strike partner, Yakubu, would dismantle a formidable strike unit, and put intense pressure on Jeremie Aliadiere, and Tuncay Sanli, who move in the opposite direction.

24 year old Aliadiere finally gave up on holding down a first team place at Arsenal to join Middlesbrough, while Turkish international, Sanli, comes in from Fenerbache. Having played for several seasons in the Premiership, Aliadiere will understand the demands, and should relish regular football after warming the bench with the Gunners for so long, but has only one Premiership goal to his name. Sanli may have a tougher time settling in; Hakan Sukur, one of Turkey’s most famous exports, failed to make an impact at Blackburn Rovers where he played just nine times, scoring twice. However, midfield compatriot, Tugay Kerimoglu sets a much better example, having been at Rovers since 2001.

In what has been a quiet summer for incoming transfer activity, Southgate agreed a £2.5million fee with Charlton for defender, Luke Young. Young made 200 Premiership appearances for the Addicks and representing England at right back. He will play alongside Jonathan Woodgate who this summer made his loan move permanent.

If the club’s pre-season tour of Germany is anything to go by, it looks set to be another topsy-turvy season at the Riverside. The side lost 3-0 to Schalke in their opening fixture and midfielder, Fabio Rochemback, could miss the opening three games of the season after receiving a red-card in the friendly against Hertha Berlin which ended 1-1.

Steve Gibson has been club chairman since 1994 and arguably has the best relationship with his fans than any of his Premiership peers. Gibson has demonstrated that Middlesbrough is a passion not a business, but despite his patience and generosity, a seventh place Premiership finish is the best his club have managed. Under Steve McClaren, the side did make the UEFA Cup final in 2006, after some dramatic comebacks, but Middlesbrough have not been suited to the regular demands of the Premiership and are therefore very unlikely winners, priced 401.00 with PinnacleSports.com.

Best Premiership Odds at PinnacleSports.com!

1.96/1.96 style pricing (c102%) on the major European Football Leagues gives gamblers up to 60% better Premiership odds. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web’s highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts.

Get a 10% sign-up bonus, 7% cash back on US horse bets and the best odds on all major sports.

Find a Smarter Way To Bet at PinnacleSports.com.