Coca-Cola Championship
Saturday November 7 2009
Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough
Kick-off 3pm

THIS is the 33rd meeting between the two sides, with each having previously won 12 while there have also been eight draws.

Boro have the best away record in the Championship, having won four and drawn two of their seven away games this season.

In those seven games Boro have scored 15 goals, another divisional high.

Isaiah Osbourne, who arrived on a two-month loan from Aston Villa on Thursday, goes straight into the squad for the trip to the capital.

Injuries and suspensions

Emanuel Pogatetz underwent surgery on a fractured cheekbone last Sunday and could be out until mid-to-late December.

Jeremie Aliadiere is recovering from the ankle operation he underwent at the beginning of last week and the Frenchman is expected to be out for around six weeks.

Caleb Folan is still missing after he tore his hamstring in training at the beginning of last month.

Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor have both returned to training following ankle problems. Both played in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Rockliffe Park on Tuesday.

Asked about Riggott, manager Gordon Strachan said: "I watched him on Tuesday and he had a comfortable game and he'll be more relaxed now, because psychologically it wears you down having so many injuries. I've had good reports from the coaches about the big man so hopefully he's up and running but we'll still have to look after him."

Guide to the opposition

Crystal Palace have had four spells in the Premier League, its inaugural season in 1992/93, 1994/95, 1997/98 and the last time Boro met the Eagles in the league, in 2004/05.

On each occasion they were relegated at the first time of asking.

Despite early season promise in 2008/09, Palace struggled with a lack of funds and inexperience throughout the team. They finished 15th last season in their first campaign under Neil Warnock.

With a modest 19 points from 15 games so far this season, the Eagles are placed at the top of the bottom half.

One to watch

 

Freddie Sears

On loan from West Ham for the season, Sears burst onto the scene for his boyhood club, scoring the winner against Blackburn five minutes after coming off the bench.

The Hornchurch-born striker is quick, agile and is very much an 'in the box' forward.

In 10 league appearances this season Sears has failed to register a goal, despite finding the net against Bristol City in August.

The 'goal' wasn't given after the ball hit the stanchion and came back out, with referee Rob Shoebridge failing to see the ball first hit the back of the net.

Through the window

Boro
In: Mark Yeates (Colchester United - undisclosed), Danny Coyne (Tranmere Rovers - free), Leroy Lita (unattached), Sean St Ledger (Preston North End - three-month loan), Caleb Folan (Hull City - three-month loan), Marcus Bent (Birmingham City - two-month loan), Isaiah Osbourne (Aston Villa - two month loan).

Out: Ross Turnbull (Chelsea - out of contract), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa - £12m), Mido (Zamalek - year-long loan), Robert Huth (Stoke City - £5m rising to £6m), Tuncay (Stoke City - £5m), Afonso Alves (Al Sadd - undisclosed).

Crystal Palace
In: Claude Davis (Derby County - free), Ryan Smith (Southampton - free), Darren Ambrose (Charlton Athletic - free), Stern John (free), Freddie Sears (West Ham United - loan).

Out: Rhys Wiggins (Norwich City - undisclosed), Carl Fletcher (Plymouth Argyle - free), Shefki Kuqi (Koblenz - free), John Oster (Doncaster Rovers - free), Paul Ifil (Wellington Phoenix - free), James Scowcroft (Leyton Orient - free), Darryl Flahavan (Oldham Athletic - loan), Simon Thomas (Darlington - loan), Lee Hills (Oldham Athletic - loan), Scott Flinders (released), James Dayton (released).

The Form Book

Boro have lost only one of the last seven meetings between the two sides and haven't lost at Selhurst Park to Crystal Palace since 1993.

The teams met a day short of 14 years ago exactly, with Boro progressing past Crystal Palace in a League Cup replay courtesy of a 2-0 win in the first season at the Riverside.

Palace have drawn four of their last five games by the same scoreline, 1-1 - in fact they have been involved in six one-all draws this season.

The Eagles have won only one of their last seven matches, a 4-1 home victory over Blackpool a month ago.

Boro have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three games, having won only one of the previous five.

The Teessiders have lost only once on the road this season, away to Bristol City in August. Their away form is the best in the division.

Last time out

Wednesday November 30 2005: Carling Cup round four

Middlesbrough 2 (Viduka 52, Nemeth 55)

Crystal Palace 1 (Queudrue og 31)

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Parnaby, Ehiogu, Southgate (Capt), Queudrue, Nemeth (Pogatetz 58), Rochemback (Bates 78), Boateng, Doriva, Viduka, Hasselbaink (Maccarone 62). Unused subs: Jones (gk); Yakubu.

Crystal Palace: Speroni; Hudson, Popovic (Capt), McAnuff (Black 75), Johnson (Morrison 46), Macken (Freedman 75), Leigertwood, Watson, Borrowdale, Boyce, Andrews. Unused subs: Kiraly (gk); Ward.

Referee: Howard Webb

Attendance: 10,791

Conditions: Cool, still and dry.

Website Boro Man of the Match: George Boateng

Referee

 

James Linington

Football fans may remember Mr Linington from earlier this season when he sent off three Swansea players in a Carling Cup tie against Scunthorpe at the Liberty Stadium.

Weather

A bright, sunny day is forecast, but it will be on the cool side with temperatures peaking at 10 degrees. A 13mph westerly wind is forecast with 69% humidity.

Tickets and Travel

Tickets will be available to Boro fans on the turnstiles at Selhurst Park, but are no longer available in Middlesbrough.

Click here for directions to Selhurst Park

Click here for all your ticket news.

Full coverage of the game will be available on Boro World. Right now on Boro World we have exclusive video interviews with Gordon Strachan, Colin Cooper, Brad Jones and Sean St Ledger, plus highlights from Tuesday's midweek friendly.