Middlesbrough to wear Blades down

Middlesbrough can extend hopes of a Wembley appearance by beating Sheffield United in their FA Cup fifth-round replay at the Riverside on Wednesday evening. The game is live on BBC One.

With best odds about the Premier League side of 8-13 (VC Bet), punters may do well to split stakes on Gareth Southgate’s side winning either 1-0 or 2-0. Coral offer respective odds of 6-1 and 13-2.

Unlike many of his top-flight counterparts, Southgate has resisted the temptation to rest key players in the competition. And, with the carrot of a home tie against Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff in the last eight awaiting the winners, he can again be expected to field his strongest 11.

Sheffield United, a fiercely competitive if unattractive side in recent years, showed a familiar determination in the goalless stalemate between the sides ten days ago, the Blades first start under newly appointed manager Kevin Blackwell. However, they were scoring for the first time in four matches in a 1-1 draw away to Queens Park Rangers at the weekend and may lack the guile to craft meaningful opportunities.

Middlesbrough’s own form is solid, with their 3-2 loss away to Liverpool on Saturday their first reverse since New Year’s Day.

Those who fancy an upset will find Sheffield United at 11-2 with VC Bet. The draw is a general 5-2.