Middlesbrough welcome Chelsea to the Riverside Stadium in the opening Quarter-Final of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Victory would see Middlesbrough qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since the 2005-06 season, whereas Chelsea are looking to reach a fifth semi-final in the last six seasons.
Team News
Andraz Sporar is set to return for Middlesbrough after missing their last three matches through illness.
James Lea Siliki (illness) is also expected to be in contention for selection.
Martin Payero (ankle), Riley McGree (calf), Sammy Ameobi and Darnell Fisher (both knee) remain ruled out.
Chelsea could welcome Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James back from respective Achilles and muscle injuries.
Andreas Christiansen (knock) is a doubt but Ben Chilwell (knee) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won one of four previous FA Cup meetings against Chelsea (W1, L3), although this is the first time that both teams have met specifically at the Quarter-Final stage.
- Chelsea have won one of two previous FA Cup visits to Middlesbrough (W1, L1).
- Boro have lost two of their last three FA Cup meetings against Chelsea by 2-0 results.
- Three of Middlesbrough’s five FA Cup goals this season have been scored after half-time.
- Four of Chelsea’s ten FA Cup goals this season have been scored by Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, with both strikers netting twice apiece.
Prediction
Having already dumped Manchester United and Tottenham out of this season’s FA Cup with two disciplined performances, Middlesbrough know that the pressure again is off them here but they will still need to take their chances and show proper underdog grit again to stand a shot of winning.
Chelsea meanwhile are playing their sixth match in 17 days yet have done incredibly well to stay focused on their football amidst off-pitch issues, which will give them real belief coming into this difficult encounter but they did have to come from behind to beat Lille in midweek.
Questions though will need to be asked because this was their second sluggish display in the past week yet they have grinded out two wins, which suggests that fatigue could be slowly creeping in and Boro could be well placed to take advantage if they’re clinical and defend well.
Chris Wilder though has turned the Riverside Stadium into a fortress with just one defeat in 11 matches in all competitions, which will make life hard for Chelsea on top of their limited away support against 30,000+ Boro fans ready to rock the stadium.
My gut instinct says a Chelsea win but if Middlesbrough are at their best, this is going to go the distance and fitness could very well be crucial if this goes to extra time.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 (AET) Chelsea
Result: Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea
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