The Premier League’s sole Sunday fixture takes place at the Riverside.
Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring for Chelsea
Chelsea travel to the north-east on Sunday as the in-form side in the Premier League.
Their last five games have seen five wins, five clean sheets and 16 goals scored, and they will be full of confidence having dismantled Everton at Stamford Bridge in their most recent match prior to the international break.
They will not find it easy against Middlesbrough, however. Aitor Karanka’s side are unbeaten in three league matches themselves, a run that has included draws away at Arsenal and Manchester City.
Boro have made a steady start on their return to the Premier League but are just a point above the drop zone and could begin this match in the bottom three if results on Saturday go against them.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson applauds fans after the game
The Key Battle – Ben Gibson vs Diego Costa
Boro’s 23-year-old defender has adapted well to life in the top tier, but faces arguably his toughest test yet this weekend.
Costa was forced to withdraw from the Spain squad during the international break but should be fit for this clash, in which he will be looking to reach double figures for the season having netted nine times so far.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa
Last Meeting:
Goals from Fernando Torres and Victor Moses sealed a 2-0 FA Cup win for Chelsea in the most recent encounter between these two sides back in February 2013.
Boro have not defeated Chelsea since August 2006, when Mark Viduka’s late winner earned them a 2-1 win at the Riverside.
Recent league form – most recent last:
Middlesbrough – LDLDWD
Chelsea – LWWWWW
Who’s the ref?
Jonathan Moss will be the man in the middle at the Riverside.
In his 11 games in all competitions so far this season – including Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Watford – Moss has shown 52 yellow cards and two reds.
Middlesbrough’s Gaston Ramirez celebrates scoring their first goal with Adam Forshaw
What time is kick off?
The game starts at 4pm.
Where can I watch it?
Middlesbrough v Chelsea is live on Sky Sports 1, with build-up beginning at 3.30pm following the conclusion of Newcastle’s trip to Leeds.
Odds
Middlesbrough – 5/1
Draw – 29/10
Chelsea – 4/7
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