Preview: Boro vs West Ham

Middlesbrough take on West Ham at the Riverside hoping to pick up a crucial three points against the Hammers. Gareth Southgate's future has again come under question this week.

Squads

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, Cattermole, O'Neil, Boateng, Arca, Johnson, Shawky, Aliadiere, Downing, Tuncay, Lee, Hutchinson.

West Ham (from): Green, Neill, McCartney, Gabbidon, Upson, Ljungberg, Parker, Ashton, Pantsil, Solano, Noble, Mullins, Spector, Collins, Wright, Walker, Camara.

Southgate: Xmas Specials

"We spoke before we went to Old Trafford in October about having seven or eight games before Christmas.

"There was a group of teams up to 12th place and we wanted to be top of that group at Christmas.

"We are a point off it and if we can win on Saturday, we might finish top of that group."

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

Middlesbrough 0-1 West Ham

West Ham will claim the three points here. Freddie Ljungberg will be the key man for the Hammers.

Goalscorer: Freddie Ljungberg