Middlesbrough
can be relegated from the Premier League if they lose to top of the table
Chelsea on
Monday Night Football.
Boro remain firmly in the bottom three heading into the game at Stamford
Bridge with six points between themselves and safety.
If Hull avoid defeat against already-relegated Sunderland on Saturday, Boro
will need to pick up three points to continue their battle to survive the
drop but a draw could also see them relegated if the Tigers beat their
opponents.
Chelsea are also in the hunt for maximum points as the Premier League title
race hots up, with the gap at the top potentially being cut to one point if
Tottenham beat West Ham on
Friday Night Football.
The Blues could also win their 300th game at Stamford Bridge in the Premier
League, with only Manchester United (347) and Arsenal (305) having picked up
more victories on home turf in the competition.
Team news
Gaston Ramirez is likely to miss Middlesbrough's crunch trip to London as he
struggles with a pelvic problem.
Skipper Grant Leadbitter has returned to training after missing the last
three games with a hamstring strain, as has Adlene Guedioura (groin), but
Victor Valdes (ribs) and Daniel Ayala (ankle) remain doubtful.
David Luiz and N'Golo Kante are also injury doubts for the Premier League
leaders, but Thibaut Courtois will be available.
Luiz was replaced late on in last Sunday's win at Everton and Kante has a
thigh problem but both will be assessed before Monday evening's match.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won each of their last six Premier League games against
Middlesbrough without conceding a single goal.
Middlesbrough have gone seven Premier League games at Stamford Bridge
without scoring, last netting there in September 2001 in a 2-2 draw.
Cesc Fabregas needs one more assist to reach 10 for the season. Should he do
this, he'd be the first player to record 10 Premier League assists in six
different seasons (Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney have both managed this in
five seasons).
The Blues' next win at Stamford Bridge will be their 300th in the Premier
League, becoming just the third team to reach that milestone for Premier
League home wins
Coming in to this round of games, this fixture sees the highest scoring
Premier League team in 2016-17 (Chelsea - 72 goals) and the lowest scoring
side (Middlesbrough - 26 goals, same as Sunderland).
Middlesbrough have mustered a league-low 93 shots on target this season in
the Premier League. Chelsea have managed more than this in their home games
alone (97).
Chelsea have already equalled the points tally of Leicester City in 2015-16
(81) and if they win their remaining four Premier League games they will
reach 93 points. Only one team in the history of the Premier League has won
more than this - Chelsea in 2004-05 (95 points).
Middlesbrough have 28 points with three games remaining. The fewest points
won by a team to avoid relegation from the Premier League is 34 - set by
West Bromwich Albion in 2004-05.
Merson's prediction
Middlesbrough went down in the game against City in a blaze of glory. We saw
something from them in the game that we haven't seen for a few weeks. The
problem is they have to win this game and it could leave them open at the
back.
That's perfect for the way Chelsea are set up and I can't see them being
stopped, especially in front of their own fans at Stamford Bridge. I do
fancy Middlesbrough to score but it won't be enough to halt Chelsea.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
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