Middlesbrough preview

• The obvious point to make concerns this game last year. We won't get even in an aggregate goals sense, but to take three points would really mean something. We're hearing this a lot at the moment, but who would have thought back then that only five months later we'd be in such a strong position?
  

• It seems that Jo is still ill, leaving a straight choice between Evans and Sturridge up front. Evans has two league starts this year, Sturridge one. Maybe Ched's knee and Danny's performance on Sunday will see him edge it? Hughes suggested that Dunne's injury isn't too bad, so we won't have to play Onuoha. Perhaps Hamann or Fernandes in for Elano in midfield?
  

• So far this year, Middlesbrough have beaten Spurs and Stoke at home, won at Wigan (something we couldn't do), lost at Portsmouth, Liverpool, Sunderland and Man United, lost at home against WBA and Chelsea and then drew at Blackburn last weekend. So 10 points from 9 games, including three of the top four. Quite a good record, and not much worse than ours.
  

• They do have some good players going forward: Tuncay, Alves, Aliadiere and Downing, but don't seem to have much at the back. It could be a high scoring game. So I'm predicting 2-2 (but secretly 3-1 to City).