Gareth Southgate insists Middlesbrough will face Chelsea buoyed by previous results at The Riverside Stadium.
Southgate looking to continue excellent home form against Chelsea
Gareth Southgate insists Middlesbrough will face Chelsea buoyed by previous results against The Blues at The Riverside Stadium.
Boro have won their last two home encounters with the West Londoners and head into the latest fixture between the sides confident of a third straight victory.
Southgate's side are sitting just outside the relegation zone heading into the weekend, but the manager still expects them to trouble Chelsea.
"These are not games we go into frightened. We know we've had results against them before and while that doesn't count on Saturday we do know if we play at our best we can beat them," he said.
"We have shown over the last few years that we are competitive in every game we go in to. Lots of other teams write off games against the top four but we've deserved to get results against those teams.
"I remember a couple of years ago we beat Chelsea and it sent us on a run at a time when we were in an awful lot of trouble. That is not the case this time but a win would give us a massive lift."
Mido back
Middlesbrough will be boosted by the expected return of striker Mido from a groin strain against Chelsea on Saturday.
Southgate said: "Mido leads the line well, he gives us a physical presence and he's a goalscorer. When he's in the side he gives the whole team an extra dimension.
"He is also a strong character in the dressing room. So when he's fit and fiery and bubbly that makes a big difference to the team."
