Boro v Portsmouth preview

Southgate: Another big match

Skysports.com prediction: 2-1

SkyBet odds: Boro 6/5 Draw 12/5 Pompey 9/4

One to Watch: Gary O'Neil

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• Middlesbrough
• Portsmouth

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Yet another archetypal Premier League six-pointer at The Riverside as Middlesbrough host Portsmouth.

When you are in the bottom three every game is crucial, with Boro and Pompey filling two of three available places in the drop-zone so this match is huge for both clubs.

Boro have a horrendous record against fellow lowly clubs this term, they are yet to win any of their games against teams currently in the bottom five.

And Portsmouth represent a challenge for Gareth Southgate's men as the South Coast club have a more than decent record against the Teessiders - having lost just twice to them in 11 Premier League meetings.

Pompey also know they have little to fear at The Riverside having lost just once their in five visits.

One real positive for Boro is that they have kept three clean sheets in a row at home.

Team news

Manager Gareth Southgate comes into the match on the back of FA Cup defeat to Everton last weekend and he could name an unchanged side for the fifth straight match.

However, there are injury concerns over Justin Hoyte and Matthew Bates, with the main concern being over the former.

If Hoyte fails to make the game then either Tony McMahon will come in as a direct replacement, or Bates will himself drop back to full-back which would then see Josh Walker come into midfield.

Southgate is also set to stick with Brad Jones in goal despite his horror show at Goodison Park last week.

Like Boro, Pompey could also name an unchanged side.

Richard Hughes and Marc Wilson are both available again - but neither are likely to make it into the starting line-up.

Likewise Greek striker Theofanis Gekas is also set to continue on the bench.

Possible starting XIs:

Boro: Jones, Hoyte, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Arca, Bates, Downing, Tuncay, Aliadiere

Pompey: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Mullins, Davis, Kranjcar, Crouch, Nugent