Barclays Premier League
Middlesbrough v West Ham United
Riverside Stadium
3pm
Referee: Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)
WHUTV - Full live match commentary plus Alan Curbishley's pre-match press conference available now.
Team news
Alan Curbishley will leave it as late as possible to decide on the fitness of James Collins (groin) and Luis Boa Morte (thigh) but is definitely without the suspended Carlton Cole. Collins figured in last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Everton as a replacement for the injured Danny Gabbidon. Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) is making progress but it is thought to be too soon for him to return alongside Matthew Upson at centre-back, meaning there could be an opportunity for the likes of Jonathan Spector or England youth international James Tomkins.
Curbishley has positive news on Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer, with the former due to resume full training next week while the latter has been given the all-clear to start jogging again. Lee Bowyer (hernia), Matthew Etherington (groin), Bobby Zamora (knee) and Craig Bellamy (stomach) are all still absent but the latter is not due to have an operation. He is working with a specialist physio and fitness coach as part of his rehabilitation. Freddie Ljungberg, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton will all hope to move a step closer to full fitness after all had 90 minutes last time out.
Middlesbrough have concerns about Stewart Downing, with the left winger having treatment on his injured hip this week, while Julio Arca is back in contention after taking a knock in training over a week ago. Defenders Andrew Taylor (foot) and Chris Riggott (calf) are both definitely out as is forward Mido (groin). Manager Gareth Southgate has though been able to field a largely settled side of late, most recently in the 1-0 win at Derby County with Tuncay Sanli scoring his third goal in as many games.
Background
West Ham United have not won on Teeside since a 1-0 success on 3 March 1990. The club were 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture this season on 15 September at the Boleyn Ground. Goals from Bowyer (46), a Luke Young own goal (51) and Ashton (62) settled matters meaning the Hammers are bidding to do their first double of the season. The lineups that day were:
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble, Etherington (Boa Morte 78), Bellamy (Cole 26), Ashton (Ljungberg 81)
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor (Davies 83), Boateng, Rochemback (O'Neill 68), Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Tuncay 30), Mido
West Ham United have still not lost in all eight Premier League matches this season where they have scored first and will return to the top half of the table, for a day at least, should they maintain their outstanding away form. Robert Green has conceded just five goals in eight away games this season, a record only matched by Liverpool.
George McCartney is bidding to make his 21th appearance this season in all competitions - and is the only West Ham United player who has featured in every game to date, starting in each one. In terms of the Premier League, only Robert Green and Matthew Upson have played every minute of the 16 matches. Bellamy, Bowyer, Ashton and Cole are the club's top scorers with four goals.
Middlesbrough, who have received more cautions than any other top-flight club this campaign (38), are bidding to make it three wins in a row for the first time in 31 outings. Downing, who is an injury doubt, is the only Middlesbrough player to have started every one of their Premier League games this season. He is the club's top scorer with four league goals.
Last six league meetings (before this season)
31 March 2007 - West Ham United 2-0 Middlesbrough
11 November 2006 - Middlesbrough 1-0 West Ham United
17 April 2006 - Middlesbrough 2-0 West Ham United
23 October 2005 - West Ham United 2-1 Middlesbrough
21 April 2003 - West Ham United 1-0 Middlesbrough
7 December 2002 - Middlesbrough 2-2 West Ham United
The sides also met in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park on 23 April 2006 when Marlon Harewood's winner took West Ham United into the final
All time league record v Middlesbrough: W 23, D 10, L 22
General information
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Weather: The forecast is for an overcast day with the potential for rain. Temperatures are not expected to exceed 8C.