Two On The Spin??

After the fantastic victory over previously-unbeaten Arsenal at the Riverside last weekend, Boro go into this clash against the league’s whipping boys in good shape.

Vital Quotes:

Gareth Southgate has had a lot to say this week about the imminent announcement of Fabio Capello as the new England manager.

‘What is the point of international football?,’ he asked. ‘I feel it should be our players, our manager, our coach, our kitman and our faith healer against the best of the rest of the world’.

Derby County Team News:

Derby County new boss Paul Jewell has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from for his first home game in charge. Andy Todd and Marc Edworthy are the only notable absentees for the Rams. Steve Howard is expected to keep his place up front.

Player to watch: Steve Howard

Didn’t make much of a Premiership impression under former manager Billy Davies, mainly due to a lack of first-team opportunities, however Jewell has come in and given him a chance. Howard repayed his manager the only way a striker knows how, by scoring at Old Trafford last weekend. He will be a handful for the Boro defenders, and eager to carry on impressing the new man in charge

Boro Team News:

Gareth Southgate is expected to stick with the side which beat league leaders Arsenal at the weekend, with Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli beginning to show signs of a blossoming partnership. Julio Arca is available after two months on the sidelines, and made a brief subsitute appearance against the Gunners. Mark Schwarzer is set for a late fitness test, otherwise Ross Turnbull will continue between the sticks

Player to watch: Jeremie Aliadiere

The former Arsenal striker is beginning to settle at Boro, as his goal against his former club last week proved, and is forming a deadly strike partnership with Tuncay

Match Facts & Stats

Boro’s win over Arsenal last weekend put a stop to their run of 10 games without a win, while Derby are enduring a run of six straight defeats.

Boro have had more yellow cards this season than any other team (38) and have conceded first in 12 of their last 16 games, the most in the top-flight.

Derby have failed to score in eleven games this season, and have the worst goal difference in English and Scottish league football so far (-32)

Luke Young is set to make his 300th club career appearance

Ref Watch:

Rob Styles – he has shown 67 yellow cards and 8 red cards in 16 games this season. He has been in charge of only one Boro game this season, in the 2-0 win over Birmigham

Match Prediction:

After a great win over the Arsenal last weekend, and considering Derby’s awful run of form in the league, the Vital Boro Match Prediction is:

Derby 0-2 Boro

Next Fixtures:

West Ham United (H) – Sat 22nd Dec