Boro backed for Premier League return

By Mark Langdon 5:50PM 13 JUL 2017

MIDDLESBROUGH have been cut by both bet365 and Hills to win the Sky Bet Championship after they signed Danish international forward Martin Braithwaite.

It was a signal of intent from Boro, who are now 13-2 favourites with bet365, while Hills are 8-1 from 9-1 which is the joint-best price about the relegated outfit.

Braithwaite scored 11 Ligue 1 goals in each of his last two campaigns for Toulouse and the 26-year-old joins Jonny Howson and Cyrus Christie in Garry Monk’s new-look Boro squad.

The Teessiders are also being linked with a £14m swoop for Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalong which highlights the ambition in the Boro ranks as they aim for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Boro are 11-4 with Hills to gain promotion, while Cardiff are generally available at 8-1 in the same market after they signed Lee Tomlin from Bristol City.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said Tomlin was his number one target this summer and also revealed the Bluebirds have turned down bids for influential duo Kenneth Zohore and Sean Morrison.

Manchester City have reportedly agreed a £50m fee with Tottenham to sign right-back Kyle Walker. City are 15-8 to win the Premier League and Spurs can be backed at 10-1.

Match in Focus

17:30 TODAY BT1

Leicester v Liverpool

Home Win	Draw	Away Win

Key stats

Both teams have scored in four of the last six meetings

Expert verdict

There are likely to be goals in this clash with both sides conceding nine goals from their opening five league games. It was honours even last season with Leicester winning 3-1 at home and the Reds winning 4-1 at Anfield, and something similar could be on the cards in this contest. Both teams have scored in four of the last six meetings and there have been three goals or more in five of the last eight league contests. Even with Sadio Mane suspended Liverpool should give the Foxes a serious test. However, in the home ranks, Jamie Vardy will be desperate for a run at this dodgy Liverpool rearguard.

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