West Ham v Boro preview

22 May 2009 11:39
Middlesbrough head to West Ham United in a make-or-break Premier League fixture for the Teesside club. Relegation to the Championship gravely threatens Boro, who currently lie second from bottom in the table and three points adrift of safety. Not only will Gareth Southgate's men have to win at Upton Park, but they will also need Newcastle United and Hull City to lose their respective matches, while goal difference will also play a part. Should results go their way, it would prove to be a dramatic escape for the North East club, who have managed just two wins in their last 25 league games, with Southgate desperate to repay chairman Steve Gibson's faith in his management. Boro are the lowest scorers in the top-flight this season although they can draw heart from having scored a total of 11 goals in their last two final day games. Furthermore, the ninth-placed Hammers cannot achieve European qualification and are only playing to finish the season on a positive note. Zola could have Kieron Dyer at his disposal with the injury-plagued midfielder having shrugged off hamstring trouble. But youngster James Tomkins misses out through suspension following the red card he received against Everton. Boro will be without captain Stewart Downing after it was confirmed the winger will undergo surgery on a foot injury sustained in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. Midfielder Didier Digard is also unavailable while French forward Jeremie Aliadiere is struggling for fitness. Possible starting XIs West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, Spector, Ilunga, Kovac, Noble, Stanislas, Collison, Cole, Savio. Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Huth, Bates, Wheater, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Johnson, Tuncay, Emnes, King.

Source: SKY_Sports