Carling Cup first round - Chesterfield vs Middlesbrough betting preview

Middlesbrough will be missing the likes of Kris Boyd and Stephen McManus as they look to avoid an upset tonight in the first round of the Carling Cup. The visitors are favourites to win the Championship this season after a summer during which they have significantly strengthened their squad. However, their defeat to Ipswich on the first day of the season has raised some questions and although it is impossible to read much into results at this stage, boss Gordon Strachan will be looking for improvement.

Middlesbrough favourites to win tonight away from home, with most bookmakers offering evens (bet £10 to win £10 profit), leaving League Two Chesterfield as underdogs at 3/1 on Betfair, with the draw available at 13/5 with Sky Bet.

A 1-1 draw has been made the favourite score for the game, generally available at 6/1, ahead of 1-0 to Middlesbrough at 7/1 with Extrabet with 2-0 at 11/1 on Betfair. The same price is available on the exchange that the game finishes goalless. A 1-0 win for Chesterfield is 10/1 generally and 2-0, a score Boro have been on the wrong end of twice in their last four matches, is 20/1 with Sky Bet and Bet 365.

With the prolific Kris Boyd away on international duty, Scott McDonald and Leroy Lita are joint-favourites to open the scoring tonight at 6/1, McDonald with William Hill and Lita with Ladbrokes and Extrabet. Extrabet are also best price on Nick Bailey, who scored twelve goals from midfield for Charlton last season, offering 12/1. Chesterfield`s biggest threat is deemed to come from veteran striker Jack Lester, available at 15/2 with William Hill.

The bookies seem to think it could take a while for Boro to get going tonight and Coral and Victor Chandler offer 12/5 that they lead at both half-time and full-time. Draw/Boro is 5/1 on Betfair, where the same price is available that both halves end in a draw. Chesterfield/Chesterfield is a best-priced 13/2 with Boylesports.

Tonight`s match kicks off at 7.45 pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports 3.

Chesterfield vs Middlesbrough betting odds

Carling Cup winner betting odds

Other football betting news and previews