Middlesbrough v West Ham Preview

Boro bidding for three in a row

By Carla Hilton   Last updated: 21st December 2007

southgate gareth

Southgate: In confident mood

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com's prediction: Middlesbrough 1 West Ham 1

SKY BET odds: Middlesbrough 5/4 Draw 9/4 West Ham 7/4

One to watch: Tuncay Sanli

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Middlesbrough will be looking for their third victory in succession when West Ham travel to The Riverside Stadium.

Off the back of wins against league leaders Arsenal and a struggling Derby County side, Boro boss Gareth Southgate will be confident his side can make it three in a row for the first time since January.

Injury worries

It won't be plain sailing with so many injuries hitting Southgate's squad as Stewart Downing and Gary O'Neil both look doubtful to start on Saturday.

Southgate will also be without Fabio Rochemback (suspended), while Andrew Taylor (foot), Chris Riggott (calf) and Mido (groin) are also still out.

Despite those absentees, Southgate will welcome the return of Julio Arca and will go into the game in confident mood knowing his side's home record against West Ham is one to be proud of.

Good record

Middlesbrough have dropped only two points from a possible 27 in home Premier League matches against the Hammers and have won the last two with clean sheets on both occasions.

Saying that, their home form this season leaves much to be desired. They have won only two of eight games at home to date, drawn three and lost three.

As for West Ham - they tend to travel well. Four wins in eight away matches this term puts them in fairly good stead for Saturday's encounter.

Though those wins did come against struggling sides such as Birmingham and Derby County, and the Hammers will no doubt be deflated after a double defeat to Everton in the Carling Cup and the league in their most recent outings.

The Hammers sit five points above Boro in the table and could go into 10th place with a win at the Riverside Stadium.