Chelsea fixtures leave Boro feeling Blue
To say Chelsea have had the better of recent fixtures between the club would be an understatement.
In fact, the Blues have won their last nine meetings with Boro in all competitions by an aggregate score of 21-0.
In English football history, only Liverpool have won more consecutive games against an opponent while keeping a clean sheet each time – 10 games versus West Bromwich Albion between 1997 and 2010.
A forward role for Cole
Our man at the Riverside Stadium tonight is Oscar Paul, and he’s fought his way through the Teesside fog to bring us his take on the Blues’ team news.
“Conor Gallagher captains Chelsea at the Riverside tonight, with Armando Broja, Mykhailo Mudryk and Alfie Gilchrist dropping to the bench following their 4-0 FA Cup win against Preston.
“Cole Palmer looks set to start as a false nine either side of Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke.
Madueke is one of three brought in by Maurico Pochettino alongside Thiago Silva and Gallagher.
Oscar Paul
Poch opts for strong line-up
Chelsea (4-3-3): 28 Petrovic; 27 Gusto, 2 Disasi, 6 Silva, 26 Colwill; 8 Fernandez, 25 Caicedo, 23 Gallagher; 11 Madueke, 20 Palmer, 7 Sterling
Subs: 13 Bettinelli, 47 Bergstrom, 10 Mudryk, 19 Broja, 36 Washington, 42 Gilchrist, 51 Williams, 68 Golding
Howson captains Carrick’s Boro
Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): 23 Glover; 3 Van den Berg, 6 Fry, 27 Engel, 24 Bangura; 4 Barlaser, 7 Hackney; 11 I Jones, 16 Howson, 25 Crooks; 9 Latte Lath
Subs: 32 J Jones, 5 Clarke, 14 Gilbert, 19 Coburn, 28 O’Brien. 48 Kavanagh, 49 McCabe, 52 Bridge, 57 Bilongo
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
