SATURDAY'S EARLY PREMIER LEAGUE KICK-OFF
Middlesbrough v Man Utd (1245 BST)
LATER FIXTURES:
(1500 BST)
Chelsea v
Fulham
Man City v
Blackburn
Portsmouth v
Arsenal
Stoke v
West Ham
Tottenham v
West Brom
Wigan v
Bolton
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606: DEBATE
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To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used)
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By Chris Bevan
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1242: From Paul at the Riverside, via text on 81111 : "The problem Chris is that Gareth Southgate is too nice and is afraid of fighting for our Premier League place. 1-1 today I think."
1238: Not long to go until we get started at the Riverside. Now, there's no 'late' [ie 1715 BST] Premier League game today but you can still get your football fix on the BBC Sport website as my friend [well, colleague] Stevo will be bringing you live text commentary on 'El Clasico' - the showdown in La Liga between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Should be an absolute cracker.
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1234: From Kranjcarism on 606:
"Southgate is an idiot for not starting Afonso Alves. Yes, he's had a poor season but he's still their most likely goalscorer. Scored a brace against Man Utd last season and I think he would have fancied his chances today."
Join the debate on 606
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1232:
Bevo's predos/CB's previews/My predictions:
Middlesbrough 1-2
Man Utd
Chelsea 1-1
Fulham
Man City 2-2
Blackburn
Portsmouth 1-3
Arsenal
Stoke 3-1
West Ham
Tottenham 2-0
West Brom
Wigan 1-1
Bolton
1229: Er, a few of you seem to be asking for my 'predos'...in response I will quote Paul Gascoigne, who once said: "I never make predictions and I never will". They will be coming right up, then...
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1224: It's a beautiful sunny day at the Riverside as the teams warm-up. So, a great time to use one of our snazzy new graphics, surely?
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1220: From Lee, in Larne, via text on 81111 : "Surely Fergie shouldn't need to worry about early kick offs, since he has such a big squad and since they play before Arsenal do ahead of the second leg on Tuesday."
1218: Lots of chat from Middlesbrough fans on 606 about your chances today - and I admire your optimism - but why are you in this situation in the first place? I'm a big fan of Boro boss Gareth Southgate myself - intelligent, friendly, articulate - but what's he doing wrong at the Riverside?
1214: From Red_Rampage on 606:
"Chris, are you related to Welsh Hollyoaks character, Elliot Bevan? You know, the one that has trouble getting girls..."
Join the debate on 606
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Nope, and no relation to Torquay goalkeeper Scott Bevan either...before anybody asks.
1212: Oh, as well as Chelsea-Fulham, there are five other Premier League matches at 1500 BST , plus the conclusion of the regular seasons in Leagues One and Two - plenty at stake there, and I'll be doing my best to keep you on top of the goals that matter as they go in.
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From stokeymad on 606:
"Stoke to get guaranteed safety today, Newcastle and Boro to lose, Stoke to win 1 - 0. Good times."
Join the debate on 606
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1211:
Your thoughts on this, and everything else, are clearly more important than mine, though. Text me on 81111
or get involved in the chat on 606
. Please.
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1209:
And, as you may have already read, Mr Ferguson is not very happy about having an early kick-off today, because his side played in the Champions League on Wednesday. Now, usually I'd have a bit of sympathy here - long European trips do tend to give teams a hangover the following weekend, no matter how big their squads. But United were at HOME against Arsenal...and they play the second leg of that tie on Tuesday, so surely it would be a strain no matter whenever this game was scheduled over the weekend?
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1208: From the_dancing_feet_of on 606:
"Will it be an advantage or a disadvantage for Boro that Newcastle don't play until later?"
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Hmmm, I don't think we will find that out until tomorrow...I'll let you know then.
1207: TEAM NEWS Middlesbrough v Man Utd
Middlesbrough's
French midfielder Didier Digard starts on the bench, while Justin Hoyte comes in for Andrew Taylor in defence.
Manchester United's
Jonny Evans replaces Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence after the England international failed to shake off a foot problem. Michael Carrick does not feature while Cristiano Ronaldo, Anderson and Carlos Tevez are on the bench. Ji-Sung Park, Federico Macheda, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs start.
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1206: From Hadjuk Spliff on 606:
"As much as I want Boro to get something out of the match, I can only see a United win. 0-2 - Michael Carrick and possibly someone unexpected like Ji-Sung Park or Jonny Evans."
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Well, it won't be Michael Carrick - he's not even on the bench.
1205: So, this should be straightforward for Sir Alex Ferguson's men then? Erm, no - think again. Boro may have only won two of their last 22 league games but they are unbeaten at the Riverside in 2009 and beat Liverpool there at the end of February.
1203: TEAMS Middlesbrough v Man Utd
Middlesbrough:
Jones, McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Hoyte, O'Neil, Sanli, Bates, Downing, King, Aliadiere. Subs: Turnbull, Digard, Emnes, Alves, Arca, Adam Johnson, Grounds.
Man Utd:
Foster, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Park, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov, Macheda. Subs: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Anderson, Nani, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, Tevez.
1202: You should know that United's main title rivals Liverpool are not in action for another 24 hours or so, against another team in deep trouble at the bottom, Newcastle. Third-placed Chelsea, who still have slim hopes of overhauling the teams above them, play neighbours Fulham at 1500 BST on Saturday.
1200: So, what excites you most about the Premier League this season? Is it the tussle for the title or the relegation dogfight? Those two worlds collide this weekend - starting with Manchester United, who are three points clear at the top, against Middlesbrough, who are three points adrift of safety. With so much at stake, drama is guaranteed* .
* I can't actually guarantee any drama, but hopefully there will be some .
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