Six months ago, Leicester City were basking in the glory of being crowned champions. The sun shone over the King Power stadium and Claudio Ranieri walked on water. Retaining most of their star players seemed good business in the summer while judicious strengthening gave their squad the look of challengers for the European places.

Now they are in danger of emulating Manchester City’s dramatic fall from grace in 1937/38 when the defending champions were relegated. What seemed impossible when the season began is in danger of becoming a grim reality for the Foxes.

No-one can quite put their finger on why it has all gone wrong for them but unless answers are found quickly, Leicester may find themselves in a battle they are ill-equipped to win.

In contrast, Middlesbrough are – more or less – where they were expected to be. Mid-to-lower-end of the table, teetering between the relegation fight and safety.

Their cause wasn’t helped by a seven-match winless run in the autumn but the draws at Arsenal, Manchester City and in the King Power showed what they are capable of. It’s a question of tapping into consistency away from home and winning at the Riverside for Aitor Karanka.

MIDDLESBROUGH

The Teesiders always knew that this would be a tough season but after their start to the season, will be disappointed to be on the fringes of the relegation battle. Three matches unbeaten was followed by six without a win and things became a lot tougher.

Middlesbrough have some impressive performances under their belt with only Liverpool and Everton scoring more than twice against them whilst points acquired at the Emirates and Etihad may yet prove vital.

However, goals are the problem and could prove their undoing in the long-term. Just 16 scored, joint second-worst in the Premier League with Sunderland, is a worrying sign with the recent run of three blanks from the last four games underlining the extent of the problem.

‘Boro have managed the second fewest total of shots this season, just 164 in their 18 games but with the number of passes and touches of the ball stats resolutely in mid-table, the problem is end product not possession.

Fortunately, the defence is holding firm with five clean sheets this season already and the tally of twenty goals conceded better than second-placed Liverpool. Those impressive statistics need to continue until the problems at the other end of the pitch are resolved.

Having beaten Hull and Swansea in recent home games, Karanka desperately needs his side to take points from the Foxes to push themselves into mid-table.

LEICESTER CITY

If Leicester’s success last season was a fairy tale, this season’s follow-up has been written by the Brothers Grimm.

An opening day defeat at Hull gave a hint of what was to come but followed by a point at home to Arsenal, it was assumed to be a blip. It wasn’t. In fact, the Arsenal result is the blip, a rare bright moment in sea of darkness.

No away wins (at the time of writing) and just two points on their travels underlines the extent of Leicester’s problems. By this time last season, they have lost just 1 of their 10 away games, compared to 8 this time around.

Their home record isn’t much better but is keeping them out of the bottom three.

The departure of N’Golo Kante was a blow in the summer but not enough of one to explain the failure of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez to reach anywhere near last season’s heights. Suffice to say, neither will be troubling any Player of the Year awards this season, nationally or at club level.

With just one win in their last nine (D3, L6), the Foxes are in a tailspin at the moment with little indication that the run of poor form will be ending any time soon. Vardy is suspended for this match and even misfiring, the striker still poses a threat to the ‘Boro defence.

Responsibility for goals in his absence falls on the shoulders of Mahrez and club-record signing, Islam Slimani. The pair bagged Leicester’s goals at the King Power when the two sides met earlier this season and a repeat of that could see the Foxes grab three much-needed points.

FORM (Last six games)

Middlesbrough - DWLLWL
Leicester City - DLWLDL

STATS

• The two sides have drawn 2 – 2 three times, including this season. Middlesbrough failed to win the following meeting on both the previous occasions. (D1, L1).

• Middlesbrough haven’t beaten Leicester in a league match since 2002 (D7, L6).

• Islam Slimani hasn’t scored in his last six Premier League appearances.

• Leicester have conceded at least 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 matches.

• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in 5 of Middlesbrough’s last 6 matches.

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CURRENT MATCH ODDS (BEST PRICED ODDS)

Middlesbrough: 17/10 (with Betfred - Bet Here!)     Draw: 19/10 (with BetVictor - Bet Here!)     Leicester City: 23/10 (with Paddypower - Bet Here!)

HEAD TO HEAD

Last six meetings
26.11.2016    Premier League - Leicester City        2-2     Middlesbrough
25.01.2014    Championship - Leicester City        2-0    Middlesbrough
03.08.2013    Championship - Middlesbrough    1-2    Leicester City    
18.01.2013    Championship - Leicester City        1-0    Middlesbrough
29.09.2012    Championship - Middlesbrough    1-2    Leicester City    
01.02.2012    Championship - Leicester City        2-2    Middlesbrough   

SUMMING UP!

This is a must-not-lose match for both sides but with ‘Boro being at home, the emphasis is more on their performance than Leicester’s.

Aitor Karanka’s men need to be safe by the time they face Arsenal on 15th April. Their final five games after that include Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool. Points will be at a premium giving fixtures such as this one, added importance.

Leicester need a win as well. Allowing other teams to pull away as well as those below to slowly close the gap is agonising for their supporters. Having failed to blaze a trail in the first half of the season, this is damage limitation. A point would be a good result for them.

MY PREDICTION

Middlesbrough 1 – 0 Leicester City ( 7/1 with Bet365 – Bet here! )

MY RECOMMENDED BETS

• Total goals under 1.5 and Middlesbrough win (5/2 with Stan James – Bet here!).

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• Leicester to win to nil (7/2 with Unibet – Bet here!).

• Leicester to win with over 2.5 goals (17/4 with Coral – Bet here!).

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