This is possibly not the most mouth-watering game that Setanta will show live this season, with both teams seemingly destined for mid-table mediocrity. However, for many of us, it’s all about how to glean a profit from the match taking place at Ewood Park, rather than drool over a 50-yard cross field pass or an expertly-executed Cruyff turn.
Blackburn have won just one match at home, while their opponents have the same stat on their travels. Therefore can either team be trusted at 11/10 (bet365) and 3/1 (bet direct) respectively to pick up all three points from this Saturday evening contest? Rovers’ solitary success came against Fulham, although they did also manage to beat Everton in the Carling Cup. The scoreline on both occasions was 1-0, and it’s little wonder that firms are prepared to offer just 6/1 (Ladbrokes) about this happening.
After all, Gareth Southgate’s men are in a whole world of trouble after their 5-0 drubbing at home to Chelsea, and they’ve now lost five of their past six matches. Sandwiched between these defeats was a barely-deserved 1-0 victory at Wigan, and it’s hard to get too excited about their chances in this match, especially with the likes of Afonso Alves (8/1 William Hill) and Mido (17/2 bet365) struggling for goals.
It’s also worth noting that these teams are two of the lowest-scoring in the Premier League, having managed just 15 goals between then in 8 matches. This would therefore lead to the natural conclusion that the game could be a low-scoring one, so what better way to cheer on the dullest contest possible by backing Under 2.5 Goals (17/20 bet365)! You can also get 12/5 (Paddy Power) about there being one goal or less, something that has happened in two of Boro’s last three matches. Finally, No Goalscorer is available at 9/1 (Sporting Bet), which means that own goals don’t count!