Aston Villa will be aiming to close down on the playoff positions when they welcome Middlesbrough to Villa Park on Saturday. The West Midlands outfit have revived their promotion prospects with three straight wins and they are now within two points off the top six. Middlesbrough have experienced the exact opposite in terms of league form with the single point in March, but they are still in the playoff places with a three-point advantage over seventh-placed Bristol City. Follow all our predictions, free bets, football bets and betting tips below. 
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Aston Villa FC vs Middlesbrough FC – Betting Tips for the game
Villa bagged a third successive league win in midweek following a 3-1 triumph over Nottingham Forest on the road. John McGinn was the leading performer for the Villains with a first-half brace.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, suffered a second-straight league defeat after going down 2-1 at the hands of Preston North End. The hosts were holding a comfortable 1-0 lead, but things went pear-shaped following Daniel Ayala’s sending off at the hour mark.
The last meeting between the teams in December witnessed a 3-0 win for Aston Villa at the Riverside Stadium. The previous encounter at Villa Park produced a goalless stalemate. Our betting tips and predictions favour an away win.
Aston Villa FC vs Middlesbrough FC – Match odds
Middlesbrough are given a price of 3.30 to return to winning ways but the outcome seems unlikely based on their recent run of form. Both sides have managed four league wins since the turn of the year but Villa have peaked at the right time with three of those resulting in the past three games. Villa’s home advantage should help them get the better of Middlesbrough, who have struggled to score multiple goals per game despite their high position in the standings. Our preview is to go with a Villa win.
Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough draw odds: 3.25
Middlesbrough win odds: 3.30
Aston Villa FC vs Middlesbrough FC – Correct Score odds
Villa have been impressive with their scoring form at home and they have netted 11 goals in the past five matches. However, the same has not been the case with Middlesbrough on their travels with just four goals, while failing to score in three occasions. Despite this, both sides should score due to Villa’s inability to keep shutouts. Our correct score prediction is to go for a Villa 2-1 win.
Aston Villa FC vs Middlesbrough FC – Over/Under 2.5 Goals odds
Villa have generally produced high-scoring games at Villa Park and just one league game since early November has witnessed less than two goals. We are anticipating another open contest this weekend, as Villa’s scoring has often coincided with them conceding goals as well. Our total goals prediction is to go for more than 2.5 goals.
Aston Villa FC vs Middlesbrough FC – First Goalscorer odds
Tammy Abraham’s scoring form has recently dropped off after just one goal in the past six appearances. Still, he remains the main attacking threat with 21 goals, which have come with a shot accuracy of 70%, so far. Abraham was in the scoresheet in the reverse fixture at Middlesbrough. Our first goalscorer prediction would back Abraham.
Aston Villa FC vs Middlesbrough FC – Free bet offers
Below we have all our free bet offers and bonuses for this weekend.
Bet365
Mr Green
Bet £20 get a £20 Free Bet. New players only. Qualifying bet(s) must have minimum odds of 4/5 and must be settled before triggering free bet
Sporting bet
£50 staggered free bet. Place your first bet and get £10 matched. After 5 bets get a free bet of up to £20 based on the average stake of your 5 bets. Then after your 10th bet, get another free bet of up to £20 based on the average stake of your last 5 bets.
Basically, to claim the free bets, place a £10 bet when you join to get £10. Then after 5 £20 bets, you get another £20. This then repeats so you can claim the final £20.
Min. odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater required to qualify.
Recommended Bets
Aston Villa win at 2.25
Total goals over 2.5 at 2.05