Newport County Vs Middlesbrough: Match Preview and Betting Odds

Newport County host Middlesbrough in Tuesday night’s FA Cup fourth round replay with a lucrative home tie against Manchester City awaiting the winner.   

 The Welsh club, proudly sponsored by us at Interbet, bring Championship outfit, Middlesbrough, back to Rodney Parade. This is thanks to a shock 1-1 draw when the sides met at the Riverside. Trailing 1-0 in that game, former Boro’ academy player, Matthew Dolan, popped up to claim a last-gasp equaliser four minutes into stoppage time. 

Despite playing in League Two, two divisions below Middlesbrough, Newport County were more than a match for their fourth-round opponents last month and on another day could have successfully won the game. The result wasn’t too much of a shock given the reputation as FA Cup giantkillers Newport County have forged in recent seasons. The Exiles dumped Premier League outfit, Leicester City, out of the cup in round three whilst last season Leeds United were beaten in round two and it took a replay for Tottenham Hotspur to finally end Newport’s cup run in round three. 

League form 

Newport County’s league form will be a cause of concern for manager, Flynn. County have failed to score a single goal in either league game since the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough and has slipped into the bottom half of League Two at the weekend after a dismal 3-0 loss away at Grimsby Town. 

In the league, Newport have conceded the most goals and have the worse goal difference of any side outside of League Two’s bottom five. Therefore, Interbet’s odds of 13/5 on three or more match goals could be a popular bet. 

Newport County have not reached the FA Cup fifth round since 1949 but if they can overcome Middlesbrough their reward will be a mouth-watering home clash with Premier League giants, Manchester City. Setting up a glamour tie with Manchester City will provide Newport County with a huge cash windfall. 

Newport team news 

Newport manager, Mike Flynn, came in for some criticism following the weekend’s woeful showing at Grimsby after opting to rest several first team players with the visit of Middlesbrough to come. Top scorer, Padraig Amond, Mark O’Brien and Dan Butler all sat out the weekend’s league defeat but are all expected to return to the home side’s starting eleven. 

When asked about their likely return, Flynn explained, “It makes my job quite easy, really. If I go and play with that team [against Middlesbrough] we’ll get beaten 7-0 so, yeah, they’ll be back.” 

Scot Bennett and Robbie Willmott were also absent at the weekend and could return. Flynn added, “Scot [Bennett] had a bit of a virus. He should be fine but I couldn’t risk it spreading throughout the camp – especially as we were away on the coach travelling up on Friday. Robbie had a dead leg. It is what it is; other people came in, they had a chance and they blew it.” 

The Boro

In contrast to Newport’s capitulation at Grimsby at the weekend, Middlesbrough maintained their Championship promotion push by coming from behind to claim a superb 3-2 win away at West Bromwich Albion. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in all competitions in 2019 and arrive at Rodney Parade in fifth position in the Championship, a massive 57 league places above their hosts. 

Middlesbrough boss, Tony Pulis, may be tempted to rotate his squad on Tuesday with two crucial Championship games approaching. Middlesbrough host Leeds United next Saturday before taking on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane the following Wednesday. 

Match odds 

Newport County – 271/100 

Draw – 12/5 

Middlesbrough – 101/100 

To Qualify 

Newport County – 33/20 

Middlesbrough – 4/9 

Fourth round replay round-up 

Newport and Middlesbrough aren’t the only sides in FA Cup action this week. Four other fourth round ties have gone to a replay including Brentford versus Barnet. The visitors are the last non-league team in the competition and arrive at Griffin Park having shared a thrilling 3-3 draw a week ago. With a Barnet win available at odds of 15/1 with Interbet, a giant-killing seems unlikely. Brentford are priced at 2/13. The winners will take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. With the Swans in a state of turmoil after losing several high-profile players during the January transfer window, Brentford will be hopeful of reaching the FA Cup sixth round for the first time since 1989. 

2008 winners, Portsmouth, will put their League One promotion push to one side as they take on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. The visitors are 16/5 with Interbet whilst QPR can be backed at 21/25. The winners will host Watford in round six. Wolves are overwhelming favourites to progress after surviving a scare away at Shrewsbury Town last month. The Premier League outfit looked destined to be on the wrong side of a giant-killing before a last-gasp Matt Doherty equaliser saved Wolves’ blushes. Wolves are 2/11 to win the replay whilst League One’s Shrewsbury are 12/1. 

The final fourth round replay will be played at The Hawthorns on Wednesday with West Bromwich Albion hosting Brighton. The hosts are 9/5 to win whilst Premier League outfit, Brighton at 151/100. The winner of this clash will host Frank Lampard’s Derby County in round six. 

Outright odds 

Pep Guardiola’s City are the bookies’ favourites to win this season’s FA Cup and can currently being backed to win the competition at 137/100 with Interbet. In contrast, Newport County are the competition’s rank outsiders at 1000/1. City’s main challenge is expected to come from either holders, Chelsea (9/2) or fierce cross-city rivals, Manchester United (11/2). The two Premier League giants are set to meet at Stamford Bridge in round five. Expect the outright odds on the winner of that to tumble ahead of round six.

If you wish to make use of any of the above odds and wager your money on any FA Cup fixture then register with Interbet.com today. Currently, we are offering a new member incentive, giving those new to our site a £10 free bet when they spend £10 with us.