Middlesbrough go in search of their first back-to-back wins of the season as they host West Ham.
Hammers travel to Teesside looking to end bad run
Middlesbrough go in search of their first back-to-back successes of the season as they host West Ham United at The Riverside on Saturday.
After a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Chelsea, Boro have bounced back in superb fashion with a draw at Blackburn - which was so close to a win - and then victory over Manchester City.
Boro have now moved into the top half of the table, whilst West Ham have been going in the opposite direction.
The Hammers have lost four league games in succession and have failed to score in their last three games, which has seen them drop to 11th.
Victory at Boro could see Gianfranco Zola's men climb back to as high as seventh and the omens are good for The Hammers as they have won their last three meetings against the North East club - including victory on Teesside last season, which was their first in the Premier League.
Should West Ham lose however, it would be the first time they have lost five league games in a row since March 2007.
Team news
Boro look set to name an unchanged side for the third successive match.
Justin Hoyte and Mido are back in training after recent injuries and both could make the bench, where they will join Julio Arca - who made his comeback from injury in midweek.
Mohamed Shawky and Robert Huth are both weeks away from returning.
West Ham are without Valon Behrami because of a calf problem he picked up in the midweek defeat at Manchester United.
Scott Parker is struggling with a calf injury whilst Herita Ilunga is also struggling, but Lucas Neill and James Tomkins look set to return to action.
Diego Tristan is in contention for his first taste of Premier League action since his move to England from Spain, as Carlton Cole is suspended.
Youngsters Freddie Sears and Jack Collison could also be pushing for starts.
Mark Noble, Dean Ashton, Kieron Dyer, Jonathan Spector and Danny Gabbidon are all long-term absentees.
Possible starting XIs
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater, Taylor, Pogatetz, Riggott, Downing, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard, Alves, Tuncay
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ilunga, Upson, Collins, Faubert, Etherington, Mullins, Bowyer, Di Michele, Bellamy
