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Nigel Pearson's side host Tony Mowbray's men at the King Power Stadium, and Jamie Dickenson is backing the hosts to keep their winning streak going with the help of Chris Wood

Friday night's live Championship offering sees two promotion contenders clash at the King Power Stadium as Leicester City host Middlesbrough.

On the back of four straight wins in all competitions, Nigel Pearson's side look worth backing at 7/10 (1.70) to overcome their North-East opponents with Paddy Power.

Having also won nine of 13 home games in the league already this season, third-place Leicester will be confident of breaking into double figures against Boro, currently fifth.

Despite starting this season well, Tony Mowbray's team have been blighted by inconsistency and injuries recently, winning just six of their last 13 outings and losing the rest.

Boro need to settle into a more stable pattern if they are to return to the top tier this campaign, and a win here would help immeasurably, priced at 4/1 (5.0).

The draw can be backed at 5/2 (3.50), although the visitors have drawn just one of 13 away games in the league so far this season.

Beating Huddersfield 6-1 and Bristol City 4-0 already in 2013 proves that the Foxes are in good form, with €1.1 million January signing Chris Wood largely responsible for their recent attacking prowess having returned a staggering six goals in just three games since the New Zealand striker moved permanently from West Brom.

In each of those three matches Wood has scored the first goal - in the sixth, third and eleventh minute respectively - and the ex-Millwall forward's tendency to strike early means he is great value at 7/2 (4.5) to break the deadlock against Middlesbrough.

Those looking to back the 21-year-old to fire anytime can have odds of 5/6 (1.83), while he is also available at 11/5 (3.20) to score the first Leicester goal of the evening.

With 32 goals scored and just 11 conceded at the King Power Stadium, Leicester have the best home goal difference in the league and could record a win to nil over rivals Boro at 21/10 (3.10).

Defeats already this season on their own patch to high-flying Cardiff and Crystal Palace will give Middlesbrough cause for optimism though - although they have won just once in six away days in the league.

With Leicester finding the net with ease at the moment and keeping it tight at the back - the hosts have let in just one goal from their last five matches - goal-hungry Chris Wood can help the Foxes to send their supporters home happy.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Leicester to win at 7/10 (1.70) with Paddy Power

Chris Wood to score first at 7/2 (4.5) with Paddy Power

Jamie Dickenson is a 22-year-old freelance journalist who specialises in football, sports and betting.

More of his work can be found here - and you can also follow Jamie on

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