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Middlesbrough v Arsenal
Riverside Stadium
Sunday, 9 December
Kick-off: 1330 GMT
BBC coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day.
Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer could return to action despite breaking his thumb. The Australian has trained this week and is yet to be ruled out.
Julio Arca (knee) and Robert Huth (ankle) are both in contention after long-term injuries, but striker Mido (groin) is out until the New Year.
Arsenal are without midfield trio Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and Alex Hleb (Achilles).
Robin van Persie (knee) is still out, while Abou Diaby (back) is sidelined.
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Turnbull, Young, Taylor, Woodgate, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Huth, Hines, Cattermole, Rochemback, O'Neil, Boateng, Arca, Aliadiere, Downing, Tuncay, Lee, Hutchinson, Craddock.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Diarra, Gilberto, Rosicky, Adebayor, Eduardo, Lehmann, Bendtner, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Senderos, Hoyte.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate:
"You have to start off by being difficult to beat and we've been that to a degree.
"We have to now take that on a stage, we've got to try and win matches.
"It's a huge test this weekend and one that no one expects us to get much from, so there is an opportunity for us to get something unexpected."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"We go into a period now from the end of November to March where everybody fights for something. "During this period the points are especially hard to get because there is always something at stake.
"At the end of March it becomes easier to take points, but during these four months you can make a difference."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Arsenal defend a four point lead at the top of the table and a 22-match unbeaten record in the Premier League, with their second match in the north-east in four days.
Middlesbrough are struggling with no wins in 11 league and cup games, and just two Premier League victories all season. As a result they find themselves in the relegation zone for the first time in five years in an established Premier League table. The Teessiders have lost all seven of their fixtures against top half clubs; the Gunners have won all seven against bottom half clubs.
Arsenal have recorded some of their highest scoring Premier League matches against Middlesbrough. In 24 meetings, they have netted seven goals in one, six in another, five goals twice and four on three occasions. Yet last season's two meetings were both 1-1 draws.
CLUB FORM
MIDDLESBROUGH
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures) 1. Drawn four and lost seven of the last 11 (all competitions).
2. Winless in 10 league games; picked up four points from a last possible 30 from draws with Sunderland (h), Tottenham (h), Bolton (a) and Reading (a).
3. A 2-0 home win over Birmingham on 1 September is their only maximum in 12 league outings.
4. Opened the scoring in just two Premier League games this season - fewer than any other club; v Blackburn (h) and Birmingham (h).
5. Conceded the opening goal in an unparalleled 12 matches in the highest league this term, losing seven of them.
6. Picked up more cards than any other club in Premier League competition this season; 36 (all yellow).
7. Own the second weakest home form in the highest league with six points from one win and three draws in seven games. Only Derby have an inferior return with five points from seven clashes.
8. Managed just one clean sheet in 16 home league games (v Birmingham on 1 September).
9. Winless in nine Premier League games against the 'big four' clubs; drawn four and lost five since a 2-1 home win over Chelsea on 23 August 2006 - their only maximum in 11 such fixtures.
10. Pre-Christmas fixtures away to Derby and home to West Ham, follow this.
ARSENAL
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures) 1. One of two remaining unbeaten clubs in the Premier League, with Liverpool. Won 14 and drawn eight of the last 22 Premier League matches, since losing 0-1, home to West Ham on 7 April.
2. Looking for an unrivalled 12th victory in this Premier League campaign.
3. Dropped fewer Premier League points than any other club; eight (drawing at Blackburn, Liverpool and Newcastle, and home to Manchester United).
4. Scored 32 goals in 15 Premier League games, at one every 42 minutes on average; 20 of those goals have come in the second half.
5. One of four clubs holding a 100% record when a Premier League clean sheet has been kept; won five of five.
6. Gained an unrivalled 11 Premier League points from losing positions, including victories over Fulham (h), Tottenham (a) and Aston Villa (a).
7. The only club to have scored in every Premier League game this season, and netted in each of the last 15 since the goalless draw at Portsmouth in last season's closing league fixture on 13 May - their only blank in 21 league outings.
8. The current total of 37 points is their best to this stage of a Premier League season. It beats the previous best of 35 after the first 15 matches of their unbeaten season in 2003-04. In that campaign they amassed 38 points after 16 games.
9. Not beaten in 10 away league games; won four and drawn six (won four and drawn three this season) since losing 4-1 at Liverpool on 31 March.
10. Two London Premier League derbies, home to Chelsea and Tottenham, are scheduled before Christmas. A trip to Blackburn in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup comes between them, and Wednesday's Champions League final Group H match, home to Steaua Bucharest precedes them.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MIDDLESBROUGH
Stewart DOWNING is Middlesbrough's top scorer, with three Premier League goals. DOWNING is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Middlesbrough's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
Fabio ROCHEMBACK will be playing on the eve of his 26th birthday. Matthew BATES will be participating on the eve of his 21st birthday.
If on the field from the outset:- ROCHEMBACK will be making his 50th Premier League start for Middlesbrough.
ARSENAL
Cesc FABREGAS is Arsenal's top scorer with 11 goals.
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR is the clubs top Premier League marksmen with nine, and leads the race for the Barclays Golden Boot.
Arsenal have never lost when ADEBAYOR has scored; winning 18 and drawing three of the 21 matches in which he's netted.
Five of FABREGAS'S six league goals were scored in the second half. Only Kolo TOURE has been on the field for every minute of every one of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season.
If on the field from the outset:- Justin HOYTE will be making his 50th club career league start (Arsenal and Sunderland).
HEAD TO HEAD
Middlesbrough have won only one of their last 12 league meetings with Arsenal. The Gunners are hunting their sixth victory in eight Premier League visits to Teesside.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Middlesbrough 28 wins, Arsenal 57, Draws 29
Prem: Middlesbrough 4 wins, Arsenal 15, Draws 5 at Middlesbrough only
League (inc PL): Middlesbrough 22 wins, Arsenal 21, Draws 14
Prem: Middlesbrough 3 wins, Arsenal 8, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal
3 February 2007 - Ref: Mike Riley
Middlesbrough scorer: Yakubu 63 pen
Arsenal scorer: Henry 77
Sent Off: Senderos (Arsenal) 62
Riverside Stadium
Sunday, 9 December
Kick-off: 1330 GMT
BBC coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day.
Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer could return to action despite breaking his thumb. The Australian has trained this week and is yet to be ruled out.
Julio Arca (knee) and Robert Huth (ankle) are both in contention after long-term injuries, but striker Mido (groin) is out until the New Year.
Arsenal are without midfield trio Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and Alex Hleb (Achilles).
Robin van Persie (knee) is still out, while Abou Diaby (back) is sidelined.
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Turnbull, Young, Taylor, Woodgate, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Huth, Hines, Cattermole, Rochemback, O'Neil, Boateng, Arca, Aliadiere, Downing, Tuncay, Lee, Hutchinson, Craddock.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Diarra, Gilberto, Rosicky, Adebayor, Eduardo, Lehmann, Bendtner, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Senderos, Hoyte.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate:
"You have to start off by being difficult to beat and we've been that to a degree.
"We have to now take that on a stage, we've got to try and win matches.
"It's a huge test this weekend and one that no one expects us to get much from, so there is an opportunity for us to get something unexpected."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"We go into a period now from the end of November to March where everybody fights for something. "During this period the points are especially hard to get because there is always something at stake.
"At the end of March it becomes easier to take points, but during these four months you can make a difference."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Arsenal defend a four point lead at the top of the table and a 22-match unbeaten record in the Premier League, with their second match in the north-east in four days.
Middlesbrough are struggling with no wins in 11 league and cup games, and just two Premier League victories all season. As a result they find themselves in the relegation zone for the first time in five years in an established Premier League table. The Teessiders have lost all seven of their fixtures against top half clubs; the Gunners have won all seven against bottom half clubs.
Arsenal have recorded some of their highest scoring Premier League matches against Middlesbrough. In 24 meetings, they have netted seven goals in one, six in another, five goals twice and four on three occasions. Yet last season's two meetings were both 1-1 draws.
CLUB FORM
MIDDLESBROUGH
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures) 1. Drawn four and lost seven of the last 11 (all competitions).
2. Winless in 10 league games; picked up four points from a last possible 30 from draws with Sunderland (h), Tottenham (h), Bolton (a) and Reading (a).
3. A 2-0 home win over Birmingham on 1 September is their only maximum in 12 league outings.
4. Opened the scoring in just two Premier League games this season - fewer than any other club; v Blackburn (h) and Birmingham (h).
5. Conceded the opening goal in an unparalleled 12 matches in the highest league this term, losing seven of them.
6. Picked up more cards than any other club in Premier League competition this season; 36 (all yellow).
7. Own the second weakest home form in the highest league with six points from one win and three draws in seven games. Only Derby have an inferior return with five points from seven clashes.
8. Managed just one clean sheet in 16 home league games (v Birmingham on 1 September).
9. Winless in nine Premier League games against the 'big four' clubs; drawn four and lost five since a 2-1 home win over Chelsea on 23 August 2006 - their only maximum in 11 such fixtures.
10. Pre-Christmas fixtures away to Derby and home to West Ham, follow this.
ARSENAL
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures) 1. One of two remaining unbeaten clubs in the Premier League, with Liverpool. Won 14 and drawn eight of the last 22 Premier League matches, since losing 0-1, home to West Ham on 7 April.
2. Looking for an unrivalled 12th victory in this Premier League campaign.
3. Dropped fewer Premier League points than any other club; eight (drawing at Blackburn, Liverpool and Newcastle, and home to Manchester United).
4. Scored 32 goals in 15 Premier League games, at one every 42 minutes on average; 20 of those goals have come in the second half.
5. One of four clubs holding a 100% record when a Premier League clean sheet has been kept; won five of five.
6. Gained an unrivalled 11 Premier League points from losing positions, including victories over Fulham (h), Tottenham (a) and Aston Villa (a).
7. The only club to have scored in every Premier League game this season, and netted in each of the last 15 since the goalless draw at Portsmouth in last season's closing league fixture on 13 May - their only blank in 21 league outings.
8. The current total of 37 points is their best to this stage of a Premier League season. It beats the previous best of 35 after the first 15 matches of their unbeaten season in 2003-04. In that campaign they amassed 38 points after 16 games.
9. Not beaten in 10 away league games; won four and drawn six (won four and drawn three this season) since losing 4-1 at Liverpool on 31 March.
10. Two London Premier League derbies, home to Chelsea and Tottenham, are scheduled before Christmas. A trip to Blackburn in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup comes between them, and Wednesday's Champions League final Group H match, home to Steaua Bucharest precedes them.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MIDDLESBROUGH
Stewart DOWNING is Middlesbrough's top scorer, with three Premier League goals. DOWNING is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Middlesbrough's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
Fabio ROCHEMBACK will be playing on the eve of his 26th birthday. Matthew BATES will be participating on the eve of his 21st birthday.
If on the field from the outset:- ROCHEMBACK will be making his 50th Premier League start for Middlesbrough.
ARSENAL
Cesc FABREGAS is Arsenal's top scorer with 11 goals.
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR is the clubs top Premier League marksmen with nine, and leads the race for the Barclays Golden Boot.
Arsenal have never lost when ADEBAYOR has scored; winning 18 and drawing three of the 21 matches in which he's netted.
Five of FABREGAS'S six league goals were scored in the second half. Only Kolo TOURE has been on the field for every minute of every one of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season.
If on the field from the outset:- Justin HOYTE will be making his 50th club career league start (Arsenal and Sunderland).
HEAD TO HEAD
Middlesbrough have won only one of their last 12 league meetings with Arsenal. The Gunners are hunting their sixth victory in eight Premier League visits to Teesside.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Middlesbrough 28 wins, Arsenal 57, Draws 29
Prem: Middlesbrough 4 wins, Arsenal 15, Draws 5 at Middlesbrough only
League (inc PL): Middlesbrough 22 wins, Arsenal 21, Draws 14
Prem: Middlesbrough 3 wins, Arsenal 8, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal
3 February 2007 - Ref: Mike Riley
Middlesbrough scorer: Yakubu 63 pen
Arsenal scorer: Henry 77
Sent Off: Senderos (Arsenal) 62