Middlesbrough v Hull: Mature Middlesbrough could punish hapless Hull

AFTER a Premier League clean sweep at the weekend, Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) takes a look at the Monday night match at the Riverside for us.

Middlesbrough v Hull | Monday 20:00 | Sky Sports 1

Both these sides were promoted together back in May and just one point separates them in the Premier League table after 13 games; however there's just a feeling that the home side are reasonably better than their visitors.

Rough ride

If you had to sum up Hull's season in one word then I think erratic fits it perfectly. They kicked off by taking down the defending champions and then spent most of August flirting with the top of the table.

From there though the roof has somewhat come down with eight defeats in their last 11 matches. Bournemouth put six past them, Liverpool chipped in with five, Arsenal with four and even Sunderland slammed them 3-0. It's been a rough ride.

Those non-losses included a draw against Burnley and West Brom and a somewhat fortunate win over a misfiring Southampton side. In truth, there's little positivity and it's going to be a big ask for this side to stay in the division.

Respectable

As mentioned above, Middlesbrough are just one point ahead of Hull but they've handled their fixtures in a much more respectable way. Aitor Karanka's side have already played four of the current Top 5 alongside the champions and they've emerged with reputation firmly intact.

Incredibly only three sides in the Premier League have conceded fewer than Middlesbrough. While Hull have 28 against their name in the A column, Boro have just 15.

Only once have they been breached more than twice in a game and that was Everton when they had that early bounce with Ronald Koeman newly appointed.

Spurs had to really graft to win 2-1 at the Riverside, Chelsea likewise to forge a 1-0 win while Manchester City and Arsenal just couldn't knock out Boro in their draws with them.

Teenager

Middlesbrough remind me of the teenager who's left school, started his new career and looks the business in his work suit. Hull remind me of the kid who hasn't found a job yet, is at home watching Neighbours and wanking more than five times a day.

On all known evidence Middlesbrough look a better side than Hull and I'll back them to win here on Monday night at 17/20 with Marathon Bet.

On top of that I'll get involved with the 15/2 that they win 2-0. Hull have failed to score in their last two away games and with Dieumerci Mbokani suspended they look skeletal up front.