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Middlesbrough host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, 20 November as Aitor Karanka's men look to continue their unbeaten streak against clubs in the top four. Meanwhile, Chelsea can go top with a win, with both Arsenal and Liverpool dropping points this weekend.

Where to Watch live

Kick-off is set for 4pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Middlesbrough have taken points off Arsenal and Manchester City in the recent past but will have their work cut out against the Blues, who have won their last five games in the league. Boro started their upsurge following their trip to the Emirates where they stifled the Gunners' attacking play and came back with a point, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

Karanka saw his team go a goal down against Manchester City but they equalised before the final whistle to complete a points double over the two most dangerous sides in the division. They have a woeful record against the Blues, having lost in each of the last six games in all competitions.

Their last win against Chelsea came in 2006, signifying the task at hand for the newly promoted side going into the fixture. They have also been in woeful form at home, picking up only four points, while they have lost only once in their last five games in the league.

Chelsea are likely to welcome back Diego Costa and Eden Hazard into the squad after both shrugged off knocks during the international break. Antonio Conte knows that three points here will take them top of the table for the time being, a strong recovery following their 3-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.

The Blues have scored 16 goals in their last five games without conceding and are looking like challengers for the title this season. The West London club are currently 14 points better off than during this stage last season and will go into this game as strong favourites to take three points.

Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard scored Belgium's second goal against Estonia before later picking up a calf injury EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

What Managers Say

Aitor Karanka: "It's another nice challenge for us. To play against Chelsea in the way they are is tough. But we've worked hard to play these types of games, so it's another amazing one for us. Antonio [Conte] has done very well and is settling into the league very well. They are second within a couple of months and showing they are a really consistent team. I think they are really favourites to win the league, because they take advantage of not playing in the Champions League or Europa League.

Antonio Conte: "I must be honest because we started our season with different ideas. At the start I wanted to play with 4-2-4 with two forward roles and two wingers. We didn't find the right balance, I tried to change 4-3-3, to play with midfield more. Then I change to 3-4-3. 3-4-3 was an alternative with 4-2-4. When we prepared for the season, the club knew my idea and the first idea was 4-2-4, the second idea was 3-4-3. I knew that 4-2-4 was perfect for these players. But the message was very clear. When you you see that every game you concede goals and many chances to score other goals, it means you have to change something. "

Betting Odds (betfair)

  • Middlesbrough win: 6
  • Draw: 16/5
  • Chelsea win: 11/20

Team News

Middlesbrough

Possible XI: Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; Forshaw, Clayton; Traore, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo.

Chelsea

Possible XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro; Costa, Hazard.

Chelsea FC Middlesbrough FC Premier League