Chelsea vs Middlesbrough

30/3- Chelsea have climbed their way to the second spot on the premiership table and now they are just 5 points behind the league leaders, Manchester United. Chelsea have not lost a single match at home this season and they would be looking to maintain the good record when they take on Middlesbrough at home this weekend. Chelsea would be happy to take on Middlesbrough at this stage of the premiership as they hold a good head to head record as Chelsea have managed to win 12 of the 23 matches played while Middlesbrough have been able to win only 5 matches. Also the last time both these played each other was earlier this season and Chelsea had won the match 0-2 while playing away from home. Chelsea would definitely have the home advantage as the home crowd would want their team to close in on the top spot.

Chelsea have maintained a good record in the last 10 matches and they have managed to win 6 of the last 10 matches they have played and the remaining 4 matches have been draws. Chelsea would also be quite confident as they are coming fresh from a 2-1 victory over Arsenal and a win this week. Lampard and Drogba had been instrumental last week and their role will be very important this week as well.

Middlesbrough on the other hand would like to make an impression when they take on Chelsea in an away tie this weekend. Middlesbrough have also had a decent run coming into this match as they have managed to win 3 matches, draw 5 matches and have lost just a couple of matches. They would be going in with a positive frame of mind as they managed to beat Derby, 1-0 last week.

Prediction: 2-1, Chelsea win

Middlesbrough vs Derby

22/3- Middlesbrough are placed at the 13^th position and are a mere 6 points above the relegation zone, they are in a safe zone but looking at their upcoming matches they would rather want to increase this 6 point gap this weekend when they play hosts to the bottom of the table Derby as their next two matches are against Chelsea and Manchester United. Middlesbrough have not been the best team in the tournament but while playing at home they have been a force to reckon with and against a team like Derby they would surely be looking at a full three points, anything lower that that would be an under achievement and a big disappointment as well. While the home team has registered just two defeats in the last 5 matches their performance cannot be said to be bad but the problem is that they have won just one match while the other two matches have been draws while the visiting team has drawn just 1 of its last 5 matches while the other 4 have been losses.

Middlesbrough have this golden opportunity to score 3 points and move further away from the relegation zone and also keep up their confidence before taking on tougher opponents. The home crowd and support would be a definite advantage for Middlesbrough but they would be looking at players like Downing to score and make immense of this easy match. Also Middlesbrough would be happy for a fact that their opponents have no away victories this season.

Derby on the other hand would be happy even if they can manage to take a point from this away tie as they have struggled to get points from matches this season and have been by far the weakest team in the premiership.

Prediction: 2-0, Middlesbrough win

Middlesbrough vs Derby

22/3- Middlesbrough are placed at the 13^th position and are a mere 6 points above the relegation zone, they are in a safe zone but looking at their upcoming matches they would rather want to increase this 6 point gap this weekend when they play hosts to the bottom of the table Derby as their next two matches are against Chelsea and Manchester United. Middlesbrough have not been the best team in the tournament but while playing at home they have been a force to reckon with and against a team like Derby they would surely be looking at a full three points, anything lower that that would be an under achievement and a big disappointment as well. While the home team has registered just two defeats in the last 5 matches their performance cannot be said to be bad but the problem is that they have won just one match while the other two matches have been draws while the visiting team has drawn just 1 of its last 5 matches while the other 4 have been losses.

Middlesbrough have this golden opportunity to score 3 points and move further away from the relegation zone and also keep up their confidence before taking on tougher opponents. The home crowd and support would be a definite advantage for Middlesbrough but they would be looking at players like Downing to score and make immense of this easy match. Also Middlesbrough would be happy for a fact that their opponents have no away victories this season.

Derby on the other hand would be happy even if they can manage to take a point from this away tie as they have struggled to get points from matches this season and have been by far the weakest team in the premiership.

Prediction: 2-0, Middlesbrough win

Arsenal vs Middlesbrough

15/3- Arsenal would be facing the heat now as they get prepared to take on Middlesbrough, though they are on the top spot they would be worried as the second placed team( Manchester United) are just a couple of points behind them and have played a match less as well. Middlesbrough on the other hand are on the 12^th position but they would have a mental advantage as they are the only team in the premiership this season that has defeated Arsenal. In the last match between both the teams Middlesbrough had won with a 2-1 score line while playing at home. However looking at the overall record of the matches played between the sides it is clearly evident that the Gunners have been the dominant force and have managed to win 15 of the 23 matches while 4 matches have been draws. Both the teams have been in decent form as per their standards and hence a good match can be expected. Since Arsenal are the home team they would definitely hold the advantage and with the home crowd behind them they would be expected to make the most of this home tie.

Arsenal come into this match after having drawn their last match against Wigan which was an away tie. Playing at home they have been virtually unbeatable and with Manchester United threatening to take the top spot a victory here would be highly essential. Adebayor has been in fantastic form and his contribution might prove essential in this tie and with 19 goals he is the side’s most prolific scorer.

Middlesbrough on the other hand had a decent start to their campaign this season but have lost some ground in the last few weeks. They have won just 3 of the last 10 matches while lost 3 and the remaining 4 have been draws for them. This match is important is important if they want to end the season in the top half of the table.

Prediction: 3-1, Arsenal win

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough

23/2- Liverpool are having a comparatively disappointing season this time as they are far away from the top teams and are trying to fight it out for a spot in next year’s European competitions. Currently on the 5^th spot on the points table, the side seems to have lost the winning habit and have not been able to do anything significant in the last 10 matches played. Liverpool have won just three matches while they have lost a couple of matches while 5 ended as draws. One major reason for their low ranking is their performance at home, which has been nothing but disappointing. They get a chance this week to try and improve on the record at home and also try and ensure a place in next year’s European matches as they take on Middlesbrough at home this week. Though on the twelfth spot the visitors are in decent form as they have won 4 of their last ten matches while have been defeated thrice. The previous encounter between the sides earlier this season had produced a 1-1 result while Liverpool had travelled to Middlesbrough.

The home side would be expected to deliver on field and the crowd support will be tremendous. They managed to get a draw against a team of the calibre of Chelsea last week, playing away from home would suggest that the players are in decent nick but it is just that finishing ability which is missing. In the absence of Torres it would be left to Gerrard to deliver and the crowd would be hoping that their ever dependable does not let them down this time.

Middlesbrough whereas are trying to sneak through to the top half of the table and after a win last week against Fulham they would like to put up a fight against Liverpool and get some points from this away tie.

Prediction: 1-0, Liverpool win

Middlesbrough vs Wigan

29/1- Middlesbrough placed at the 12th spot on the points table get prepared to take on Wigan at home. Though Wigan are placed on the 17th place they have shown a lot of grit and determination in recent games and that is something that has pulled them out of the relegation zone. The notable fact however is that the difference between the two sides is just a couple of points and a victory for Wigan here could trigger them to a much higher spot on the points table. Out of the 5 matches played between the two clubs, Wigan has managed to win twice while on two occasions the match has ended in a draw. Both teams enter the match with almost an injury free squad and would be hoping to make the most of the match and this makes the match even more interesting. Middlesbrough drew their last week’s tie against Blackburn at home and now would be looking to gain some points against a lowly ranked team like WIgan but it might not be as easy as it sounds as even Liverpool could only manage a draw against the same side. A lot would be expected from the two players in front, Downing and Sanli both have contributed 4 goals each this season and if Middlesbrough want three points here both would have to contribute. The home crowd would be hoping to see their team win as this would help them to establish a comfortable position away from the relegation zone as they are just out of the zone by 2 points. Wigan on the other hand would be looking to put up a strong away performance; Bent has been superb with 7 goals this season. Their strategy would be to score early and defend it for the rest of the match but a firing Heskey can convert this into a winning match and possibly get the club into a comparatively safer territory. Prediction: 0-2, Wigan win

Blackburn vs Middlesbrough

19/1- Blackburn seem to have benefitted the most after the break the teams had and look to be firing on all cylinders in the past few matches. They have managed to pull off 9 points in the last 3 matches which equates to three consecutive wins. They look in tremendous form and look to be unstoppable, they would be more than happy to plays hosts to a team like Middlesbrough who are lying in the bottom half of the table. While Blackburn are lying at the 8^th spot on the table, Middlesbrough are a distant 14^th and are just a point clear of the relegation zone. Middlesbrough however have a reason to smile as they enter the competition after a creditable 1-1 home draw against Liverpool. Blackburn would also be on a high as they defeated Bolton 1-2 in an away tie at the Reebok Stadium last week.

Blackburn are a side that has scored decently in this premiership season with Santa Cruz being their topmost scorer with 10 goals to his credit. The problem for the home team lies in their defence, they have given away too many goals for their liking, in fact at home the number of scored against them is equal to the number of goals scored by them. Despite of everything appearing to be favourable, the home team cannot take this lightly as they have a good chance of scoring valuable 3 points and that would take them closer to the battle for the European championship places. They are currently 3 points behind the 4 teams locked together from position 4 to 7.

Middlesbrough on the other hand would be aware that they are terribly close to the bottom half of the table, may be they are on the 14^th position but a point is no safe distance. They would be happy with a point from the match as a win looks quite unlikely.

Prediction: 2-0, Blackburn win

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough

29/12- Two teams in not the best of forms would be pitting against each other when Middlesbrough visit Portsmouth this week. While Portsmouth after making a promising start to the season have slipped to the 8^th position, which is a major shock considering that they constantly appeared in the top 5, their opponents are in the 16^th spot which is just 2 places and 3 points above the relegation zone. Portsmouth would enter this match after a goalless draw against the then league leaders Arsenal at home, on the other side Middlesbrough have lost their last two premiership encounters, the first being at home against West Ham and the last one being 3-0 against Birmingham City in an away tie. In fact, Middlesbrough have not been able to beat Portsmouth since the 1993-94 season as the 8 matches between the clubs then have either resulted in a Portsmouth victory or a draw.

 

Portsmouth is the home team and a lot of encouragement from the crowd will be expected as a win at home will not only help them improve their points’ table position but also their disappointing run at home this season. Mwaruwari has been the most prolific scorer for the club till date and has netted 8 of the 25 goals scored by his side, which is nearly 30%. A good amount of support for him can be expected from the experienced Kanu and Muntari, at least the crowd would hope for that.

 

Middlesbrough on the other hand have to hope that Downing can score more goals and also they can get at least a point out of this away tie as this will help them ensure the safety of the non relegation zone at least for the week as they are already 3 points clear of the relegation zone.

 

Prediction: 2-0, Portsmouth win

Birmingham City vs Middlesbrough

26/12- This is a classic bottom half tie with team number 15 and 16, separated by a couple of points, facing off each other. Birmingham City play hosts to Middlesbrough, a club that has put up some stunning performances in the past few weeks. Both the clubs enter this match after losses while Birmingham City were dumped 3-0 by the Bolton wanderers Middlesbrough went down fighting against West Ham United in their 1-2 loss. If we take a look at the history between the two clubs, Middlesbrough end up clear favorites as they have won 6 of the 9 matches and the interesting part is that there have been no draws, this would leave the audience gasping for a result. The visitors, Middlebrough have been riding high on form after they managed to defeat Arsenal a couple of weeks ago and they are the only team this season in the premiership that has been able to beat the league leaders and end their unbeaten run. Middlebrough have just one person on the injury list and that is striker Mido or else they have almost the complete squad to choose from. Downing and Sanli have been the top most scorers for the club this season and it appears that they might have to play the again. A win here can potentially help Middlesbrough jump a couple of places in the points table as well. Birmingham City on the other hand have been very poor in their home form as well and rely heavily on Jeremy and Kapo to create opportunities and then convert them in to goals. The club and its supporters are in desperate search of points and they would sooner have to get more of them in order to keep safe distance from the relegation zone. Prediction: 1-2, Middlesbrough win

Derby vs Middlesbrough

15/12- An inspirational leader and a potential team have made their presence felt. Not long ago Middlesbrough were accompanying Derby in the relegation zone and with things looking gloomier than ever before when they had to face league leaders Arsenal at a time when the Gunners had not lost a single match in the current premiership season and the side under Garreth Southgate showed what they were capable of by defeating the leaders 2-1 which proved that Southgate had finally struck the right chords with his team and they are here to stay.

 

After such an inspiring win and a jump to the 16^th spot Middlesbrough would be looking at strengthening their position outside the relegation zone, an away victory and full points could possibly mean a skip to the 13^th spot and things would look much more brighter. With a skipper in sublime form in the form of Boateng, Middlesbrough have plenty to look forwards to and to add to the list striker Downing also seems to be in great form after the amazing show against Arsenal. Though the team has been able to manage just one victory away from home this season their second does not look far away at least after the performance they put up in their previous match.

 

On the other hand Derby are probably staring in the eyes of relegation already, a win against an improving Middlebrough side looks highly unlikely and a single victory in 16 matches this season already speaks about the kind of time they are having. It is a highly depleted side and Derby boss Paul Jewell would need to put some magic in his side. The side in a way looks out of the competition already and if something can bring them back and keep their hopes alive in the top league, it can be magical brilliance only.

 

Prediction: 0-3, Middlesbrough win

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