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Middlesbrough attempt to defy odds

Author: Rose Young
Date: 01/05/2009

The Champions League casts a shadow over this weekend's Premier League campaign as the race for the title and scrap to avoid relegation enters its final phase.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea will have more than one eye on next week's semi-final second leg ties as the season reaches an exciting climax.

Middlesbrough will be hoping Sir Alex Ferguson fields a weakened side as they aim for a victory that would give them a massive boost in their bid to defy the odds and beat the drop.

Boro have a surprisingly good recent record against United. Last season the two teams played out a 2-2 draw and, in the 2005-06 campaign, Boro completed an amazing 4-1 success against United.

Alan Shearer may have to re-evaluate his priorities in a bid to preserve his Newcastle United team's Premier League status.

The former England international had seemingly given up hope of getting anything from his side's games at Liverpool and Aston Villa when he said before the St James' Park clash against Portsmouth that he was targeting three home wins to ensure safety.

Having been held to a goalless draw by Pompey, Newcastle may now need to take something from Anfield as well as beating both Middlesbrough and Fulham on Tyneside if they are to avoid dropping into the Championship.

Since losing at Middlesbrough in February, Rafa Benitez's side have embarked on a fine run in the league, winning six matches and drawing one - the thrilling eight-goal extravaganza against Arsenal.

However, they are still three points behind United and Sir Alex Ferguson's side also have a game in hand.

Having given up hope of clinching this season's title, Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is likely to name a weakened team when Fulham make the short trip to Stamford Bridge while Portsmouth's goalless draw at Newcastle United has left Paul Hart's side with 38 points which looks likely to be sufficient to stay up.

However, they face an Arsenal side whose victory against Middlesbrough extended their unbeaten Premier League record to a remarkable 20 matches.

Blackburn's relegation fears have eased, but they will be desperate to secure victory at Manchester City to finally banish any lingering drop concerns while Stoke City's excellent home form will be put to the test when West Ham United head to the Potteries.

Tony Pulis' side have won 32 of their 39 points on home soil which has virtually guaranteed their Premier League status.

West Brom will not be relegated if they lose at Tottenham but their stay in the Premier League seems certain to end after only one season whatever the result at White Hart Lane.

Ricky Sbragia is expected to make wholesale changes to Sunderland's starting line-up for the Everton game in the wake of his team's dire display in the humiliating 3-0 defeat against the Baggies.

Aston Villa, without a victory in nine matches, entertain a Hull City team that have struggled since October while, with little at stake, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers could field much-changed teams for the mid-table battle at the JJB Stadium.

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