1245 GMT KICK-OFF
Middlesbrough 0-0 Arsenal
1500 GMT KICK-OFFS
Aston Villa v Bolton
Liverpool v Hull
Man City v Everton
Stoke v Fulham
Sunderland v West Brom
Wigan v Blackburn
1730 GMT KICK-OFF
Tottenham v Man Utd
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606: DEBATE
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By Jonathan Stevenson
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1248: Boro have their pre-match hug, which frankly I find unnecessary, and the home team get us under way.
1246: "On the topic of Ashley Young, he is nowhere near the quality of Ronaldo and Messi yet. Yes, he is a very good player but Ronaldo and Messi are in a different class, world class. In a few years, maybe he can be put in the same class but at the moment, he is still out of their league."
TheRockwillSaveUs on 606
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I agree up to a point, but Young will never, ever be in the same class as Messi. Barring a serious injury, Messi is destined to go down as one of the all-time greats.
1243: I can bring you great news if you're an Arsenal fan who already thinks you can't win the title: Arsenal's current situation resembles their first Premier League title success in 1997/98: they were two points worse off than today and trailed leaders Man Utd by seven points but still won the league.
1240: "(See 1206) Would Ashley Young get a first-team place at Barcelona or AC Milan? Doubt it."
kristianowall on 606
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1237: "Stevo, I'm working my last shift and am unemployed from 4pm; had to loan out my Sunderland season-ticket for the game today! How'd you rate my chances of a perfect send-off?"
Jim (soon to be a bum), via text on 81111
Heartbreaker. However, you'll win 2-0, and get unemployed life off to a cracking start.
1233: So, Middlesbrough drop record signing Afonso Alves to the bench for only the second time this season, with Chris Riggott returning at the back in place of the suspended David Wheater. Arsenal have captain Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna all back in their starting line-up after the midweek Champions League defeat away to FC Porto. Emmanuel Eboue, barracked by his own fans in the home win against Wigan last Saturday, drops to the bench.
1230: Stevo's Predos:
Middlesbrough 0-2 Arsenal
Aston Villa 2-1 Bolton
Liverpool 2-1 Hull
Man City 2-1 Everton
Stoke 1-1 Fulham
Sunderland 2-0 West Brom
Wigan 1-1 Blackburn
Tottenham 2-3 Man Utd
Lawro's predictions
1228: Middlesbrough are in shocking form, without a win in their last four games, while Arsenal's recent record is a bit patchy. Boro winger Adam Johnson starts today - he's apparently a transfer window target for Real Madrid. The silly season is properly under way.
1223: "Why Wenger insists on playing four central midfielders is beyond me... surely Jack Wilshere could do a better job on the wing than Denilson?"
alex_the_gooner on 606
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1220: "I've just got a feeling about Alves today, and I'm not his biggest fan, but something just tells me he will make his mark today. Here's hoping."
Smogman, Manchester, via text on 81111
1216: There should be a fair bit to talk about today I reckon, so prime yourselves to get in the mix. If you text me from a stadium on 81111 you've got a friend for life, but I'm willing to accept them from anywhere, as long as the chat's good and you leave your name. If you like bantering with other footy fans, look no further than 606 for some like-minded people. The best comments, as always, will get on this page. Enjoy.
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1213: So first up we've got Arsenal's trip to the Riverside to take on Middlesbrough. I wonder which Arsenal will turn up today? The one that did for both Man Utd and Chelsea in recent weeks, or the shadow of a team that went through the motions in Porto in midweek. Defeat would be their sixth in the league already - almost unthinkable.
1210: MIDDLESBROUGH v ARSENAL LINE-UPS
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz, Johnson, Digard, Arca, Downing, Sanli, Aliadiere. Subs: Jones, Emnes, Alves, Shawky, Bates, Hines, Grounds.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby, Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere, Bendtner, Eboue.
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
1206: I've spent half the morning trying to repair my sides after hearing Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill's comments about Ashley Young: "Is Young in the company of Messi and Ronaldo? Yes. I've just put him in it." Hahaha. Martin, you're a Forest legend, but you might need to have a little rethink on that one.
1200: I hope you got your Christmas shopping out of the way this morning, because there's a little cracker of a day in store. Eight Premier League games, with Arsenal up early, Liverpool this afternoon and Manchester United's potentially explosive trip to Spurs this evening. Oh, and we're bringing you live coverage from Spain of Barcelona v Real Madrid from 2030 GMT to boot. Consider yourselves officially spoiled.
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