Middlesbrough vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
Riverside StadiumAttendance29,600.
Saturday 29 October 2016 15:05, UK
Calum Chambers is set to return to the Middlesbrough squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Riverside.
Chambers was ineligible for last weekend's 0-0 draw at parent club Arsenal under the terms of his loan agreement, but is in contention once again as head coach Aitor Karanka reaches 150 games in charge on Teesside.
Boro are winless in the league since August and could slip into the relegation zone for the first time this season if results go against them on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth are in good form having not lost since mid-September, a run that includes a 6-1 win over Hull City and a 1-0 victory over Everton.
"We're quite happy with the direction we're going, but we know how quickly football can change," said manager Eddie Howe.
"We want to continue to improve and better our last performances. It'll be a tough game at Middlesbrough but we've been playing well."
Team news
With Chambers back, only midfielder Grant Leadbitter remains absent for Boro as he works his way back from hernia surgery.
He has been pencilled in for a return to action with the club's U23s after making good progress.
Howe will make a late call on the fitness of Bournemouth forward Junior Stanislas, who missed the goalless draw against Tottenham with a calf problem.
Andrew Surman has recovered from illness and is available.
Opta stats
This will be the first top-flight clash between Middlesbrough and Bournemouth.
Howe's side have lost just one of their five Premier League meetings with newly promoted sides (W2 D2), losing their first v Norwich 3-1 last season and, in their most recent, enjoying their biggest ever Premier League win v Hull (6-1).
Five Bournemouth players (Artur Boruc, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis and Adam Smith) have all played the full 810 minutes in the Premier League this season, more than any other Premier League side. By contrast, Middlesbrough have only had one (Ben Gibson).
No Premier League player has hit the woodwork more often that Boro's Gaston Ramirez and the Cherries' Jack Wilshere this season (3, level with Kevin De Bruyne). Neither player has registered a goal this campaign.
Bournemouth's Adam Smith has won more fouls than any other Premier League player this season (28).
These sides have conceded just twice from set-pieces this season, a joint-league low (also Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United).
Merson's prediction
Middlesbrough created some great chances at the Emirates but they struggle to score and that could be their downfall.
I would go with Adama Traore from the start this weekend. He gives them pace, provides a real outlet and offers something different in attack, which is especially important against a Cherries team that likes to play an expansive style of football.
Howe's side have impressed me in recent weeks. They did well against Watford, thrashed Hull and played very good football against Spurs, and I think they'll pick up three points on the road this weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)
Betting
Middlesbrough are the 6/4 favourites with Sky Bet. The Cherries are on offer at 2/1 to make the long return journey south with three points and the draw can be backed at 21/10.
Boro claimed a creditable draw at Arsenal last time out and Sky Bet go 7/1 that this match also ends goalless. The online bookmaker makes it odds-on at 8/13 that this match contains below 2.5 goals and 6/5 is the price for above that mark.
Bournemouth drew 2-2 at Watford in their last game on the road and Sky Bet's Correct Score Group Betting offers 3/1 for this contest to end 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3.
