vs
Middlesbrough v
Chelsea
Channel: 22 - 10:00pm - (Live)
Middlesbrough's Egyptian striker Mido could return after missing
the last three games with a groin strain. Jeremie Aliadiere
(hamstring), Robert Huth (ankle) and Matthew Bates (knee) are all
still out.
Chelsea welcome back Didier Drogba and Mikel John Obi after
suspension, but Wayne Bridge serves the second match of a
three-game ban. Blues defenders Ashley Cole (ankle) and captain
John Terry (knee) are both definitely out of the match.
Middlesbrough
: Schwarzer, Young, Taylor, Wheater, Woodgate,
Boateng, Rochemback, O'Neil, Downing, Tuncay, Mido, Lee, Craddock,
Jones, Steele, Davies, Riggott, Hines, Owens, Cattermole.
Chelsea : Cech,
Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Alex, Ben-Haim, Obi,
Lampard, Essien, Kalou, Shevchenko, Sidwell, J Cole, Malouda,
Drogba, Pizarro, Wright-Phillips, Carvalho, Sinclair.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate:
"These are not games we go into frightened. We have shown over the
last few years that we are competitive in every game we got in to.
"Lots of other teams write off games against the top four but we've
deserved to get results against them. "It's very important when
results haven't gone as you'd hoped that you remember the things
you've done well."
Avram Grant on Didier Drogba's decision to make public his
desire to leave Chelsea.
"I know that it is not the first time he has said it. But I have
not seen him yet. I need to do that first. It is internal business.
"I cannot tell you anything. I have read many things that were not
true about problems in the dressing room. "I am very happy with the
atmosphere and the attitude of the players."
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MIDDLESBROUGH
Stewart DOWNING is Middlesbrough's top scorer, with three Premier
League goals - one more than he managed in the whole of last
season. DOWNING and Mark SCHWARZER are the only remaining players
to have been on the field for every minute of every one of
Middlesbrough's Premier League matches this season.
CHELSEA
Frank LAMPARD and Salomon KALOU are Chelsea's leading scorers with
three goals each. LAMPARD is also the club's leading Premier League
marksman, as all three of his goals were in the league. Goalkeeper
Petr CECH is the only player who has been on the field for every
minute of every one of Chelsea's Premier League matches this
season.
HEAD TO HEAD
Middlesbrough had picked up one point in four home Premier League
matches against Chelsea, prior to winning the most recent two; 3-0
and 2-1.
at Middlesbrough only
League (inc PL): 23 wins, Chelsea 11, Draws 16
Prem: Middlesbrough 5 wins, Chelsea 4, Draws 3
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Middlesbrough 2-1 Chelsea
23 August 2006 - Ref: Howard Webb
Middlesbrough scorers: Pogatetz 80, Viduka 90
Chelsea scorer: Shevchenko 16
REFEREE
Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
