Middlesbrough vs Chelsea: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
By Max Parsons
Chelsea turn their attention to FA Cup matters this weekend, as they travel to Middlesbrough for a quarter-final clash on Saturday evening.
The Blues, despite all the uncertainty behind the scenes, are on a stable and solid run of form at the moment. Since losing the EFL Cup final to Liverpool at the end of February, Thomas Tuchel's men have won their last five across all competitions, earning three consecutive Premier League wins before most recently beating Lille to secure progression into the last eight of the Champions League.
Aiming to make it through to the last four of the FA Cup, they face a trip to Cupset-specialists Middlesbrough who, while mounting a serious play-off charge under Chris Wilder, have knocked out Manchester United and Tottenham in the last two rounds of the Cup.
Here's 90min's preview of this enticing clash.
How to watch Middlesbrough vs Chelsea on TV/live stream
When is kick off? Saturday 19 March, 17:15 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
TV channel/live stream? BBC One (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? BBC Sport YouTube channel, Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel
Referee? Paul Tierney
VAR? Darren England
Middlesbrough team news
Andraz Sporar and James Lea Siliki are both once again doubtful through illness, but Wilder has no new concerns to contend with.
Meanwhile, there was good news in midweek as Boro welcomed Andernee Dijksteel back into the side for their victory over Birmingham, and the defender should start this weekend.
Chelsea team news
Andreas Christensen was forced off in Chelsea's midweek win over Lille in the first half, and is highly unlikely to feature here.
He'll join Ben Chilwell on the treatment table, but there could be appearances for both Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who are back in training but weren't fit enough to travel to Lille in midweek.
Midfielder Saul Niguez has confirmed that he has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss out as a result
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea score prediction
It feels like a dangerous one to predict; but surely Middlesbrough can't do it again, can they?
Two big Premier League names have fallen to the Championship side's insatiable cup spirit this season but, while (contrary to some people's initial wishes) there will be an ear-bursting home atmosphere and a quenchless drive from the hosts, Chelsea have to use their superior quality to avoid what would be, quite simply, a humiliation.
With all they have to offer, Tuchel's men have to win - surely?
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Chelsea