Middlesbrough vs West Ham: Prediction, team news, line-ups, start time, live coverage, head to head and odds - Premier League preview
West Ham are seeking to build on a positive Premier League win against Crystal Palace last weekend as they take a trip to Middlesbrough today.
Despite missing Dimitri Payet after the France winger demanded a transfer, Slaven Bilic's men ran out 3-0 winners against London rivals Palace to ease the pressure after a poor start to the season.
Payet's future is still uncertain as Marseille look to lure the 29-year-old back to Ligue 1 in the January transfer window, but last weekend's win put the Hammers 12th in the table.
West Ham sit nine points clear of the relegation zone and eight points off seventh spot, and need a result to avoid Aitor Karanka's Boro - currently 16th - dragging them back into a relegation battle.
Read Standard Sport’s comprehensive preview below…
START TIME
Middlesbrough host West Ham at Riverside Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 3pm on Saturday January 21.
LIVE COVERAGE
The match will not be televised live in the UK, but you can follow all the build-up and action from 2pm with Standard Sport’s London Football live blog. Enter your email address below to be informed when coverage begins.
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TEAM NEWS
Andy Carroll is a doubt after Slaven Bilic revealed the stunning acrobatic goal against Crystal Palace left the striker with whiplash, though the manager hopes Carroll can start at the Riverside.
Winston Reid, Sam Byram and Soufiane Feghouli all have "minor problems" but Bilic expects the trio to be available, although new signing Jose Fonte is not expected to play.
Payet's exile seems almost certain to continue, though the Hammers remain open to the possibility of forcing him to see out the remainder of this season with the club.
Diafra Sakho remains sidelined until March, while Arthur Masuaku (knee), Gokhan Tore (knee) and Alvaro Arbeloa (calf) have no fixed return dates.
Boro's only two doubts are Antonio Barragan (hamstring) and Gaston Ramirez (knee), though the latter could be in line to return.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Middlesbrough starting XI: Valdes, Bernardo, Gibson, De Roon, Fabio, Leadbitter, Forshaw, Friend, Negredo, Stuani
West Ham starting XI: Randolph, Collins, Reid, Ogbonna, Antonio, Noble, Obiang, Cresswell, Lanzini, Feghouli, Carroll
HEAD-TO-HEAD
PREDICTION
BETTING ODDS (via 888 Sport)
Boro to win: 6/4
Draw: 43/20
West Ham to win: 9/4
Odds correct as of 1pm on January 21.
Click here to place a bet.