Middlesbrough are 5/2 () ahead of a potentially high-scoring clash at Leeds while Ipswich (21/20, William Hill) also appeal.
Defensively fragile last season as they missed out on the Championship play-offs, Leeds don’t look like they have shored things up over the summer, despite the return of Patrick Kisnorbo at the heart of the back four.
The leaky Whites shipped three as they were well beaten in their opener at Southampton while League Two outfit Bradford managed to bag two against a strong Leeds line-up at Elland Road in Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie.
Simon Grayson’s men eventually edged past the Bantams 3-2 but their obvious deficiencies in defence make them somewhat unattractive at a best price of 5/4 with Coral as they entertain Middlesbrough.
Boro, for their part, conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 stalemate against Portsmouth in their first match but bounced back with a comfortable 3-0 Carling Cup success at Walsall so their attack at least, is in rude health, with Marvin Emnes having struck four times in two matches.
Up against a weak Leeds rearguard, Tony Mowbray’s troops should enjoy plenty of goalscoring opportunities and 5/2 about an away win is simply too big to ignore.
Also catching the eye at Elland Road, is Paddy Power’s 2/1 for the contest to generate more than 3.5 goals. Leeds’ 23 home matches produced an astonishing 81 goals last season, at an average of just over 3.5 and as Grayson doesn’t appear to have solved his side’s inadequacies at the back, this terms home games could follow a similar pattern.
Boro meanwhile, also shipped two at the weekend so they could be vulnerable and a high-scoring affair would therefore appear to be on the cards.
An emphatic 3-0 triumph at Bristol City means Ipswich are the early Championship pacesetters and the Tractor Boys can double their points tally as they play their first home game, against Hull.
The Tigers were beaten 1-0 in a tight clash against Blackpool last Friday but also suffered a shock home reverse against lowly Macclesfield in midweek in the Carling Cup and so they don’t exactly head to Portman Road in buoyant mood.
Nigel Pearson’s men look like a team that are going to struggle for goals this season too while Paul Jewell has strengthened wisely at Ipswich, who subsequently look cracking value at 21/20 (William Hill) for the points.
Elsewhere, Leicester at 5/6 via Boylesports, should send Reading home empty-handed and on Sunday, Malky Mackay’s Cardiff can get the better of Bristol City, a result Ladbrokes quote at 4/6.
Recommended Bets:
Ipswich to beat Hull – 21/20 (William Hill)
Middlesbrough to beat Leeds – 5/2 ()
Over 3.5 goals in Leeds v Middlesbrough – 2/1 (Paddy Power)
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