Middlesbrough vs Chelsea. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats and more 
Middlesbrough and Chelsea will meet in the ¼ final of the FA Cup this Saturday, March 19. It will take place at Riverside Stadium and start at 22:45 IST.
Two years ago Chris Wilder literally made a splash in the Premier League with modest Sheffield United, almost qualifying for the European Cups. This season, the coach is again setting the fur of football community of England flying – with the same style of play and tactical scheme, but with a different club.
Middlesbrough have already made two sensations in this tournament, can we expect the third? Or world-class Thomas Tuchel will finally be able to put down the pushy boys from Championship?
Let’s find out. We’ve compiled a rundown of the most important info and facts to prepare you for the match.
Middlesbrough News & Current Form:
Middlesbrough is one of the sensations of the current FA Cup. We have already seen how competent a team the former Sheffield United coach managed to build. The Northerners are good both organizationally, and on the counterattack, along with the standards.
Under the guidance of Chris Wilder, Middlesbrough made it to the FA Cup quarterfinals for the first time in five years. And on their way Middlesbrough defeated not just average clubs, but the sides of the so-called “big six”. In the fourth round, Middlesbrough knocked out Manchester United after a penalty shoot-out, and in the fifth round they dueled with Tottenham, with Coburn scoring on 107 minutes to snatch a ticket to the next match.
Don`t miss out 👉: Middlesbrough sensationally stun Spurs in extra time to reach FA Cup quarterfinals
In a word, there is confidence that they will give Chelsea a fight.
Meanwhile, Boro have been quite successful in the Championship. Riverside have entered the battle for the playoffs and currently share 6-7 place with Queens Park Rangers. The White and Red have lost only once in their last 5 games, falling to Sheffield United 4-1 on the road. In the last game, the hosts beat Birmingham (2-0).
Teesside side lacks stability, which is especially evident in away games. However, the Riversmen make up for that deficit with a very confident performance on the home pitch. Now the Rivers have a home winning streak of nine straight victories in all competitions.
Doubtful: Andraz Sporar, James Lea-Siliki.
Chelsea News & Current Form:
Of course, the match against the reigning European and FIFA Club World Cup сhampions is a test of a completely different level, even compared to the games against Manchester United and Tottenham. Chelsea are no longer in contention of winning the EPL title, but the Londoners’ position in the top four does not seem to be in jeopardy. Therefore, Thomas Tuchel’s team will probably focus on the Champions League and the FA Cup.
The Blues have been haunted lately by problems caused by Roman Abramovich, the oligarch of the country that unleashed a criminal war against Ukraine.
Don`t miss out 👉: Ukraine invasion: Abramovich to sell Chelsea as the UK MPs call for harder sanction on oligarchs. Revealing details
In particular, the Blues were deprived of the opportunity to sell their share of tickets for the upcoming match. In this regard, the club called to play the match at Riverside without spectators at all, which exposed them to merciless criticism.
“There could not be a more shameful statement from the club to which I have given 12 years of my career. It’s either ignorance or arrogance. But I’m sure it doesn’t reflect the position of the coaching staff and the players,”
said Graham Le Saux.
In addition to the legend of the Blues, the team’s fans also voiced their criticism, after which Chelsea realized their mistake and withdrew the offer. In general, everything going on around the club now interferes with the players’ focus, although they are trying very hard to abstract themselves.
Last Saturday, the Pensioners beat Newcastle 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Kai Havertz’s goal in the 89th minute, and last Wednesday they made it to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, beating Lille 1-2 away.
Right-back Reece James returned from injury. Only left-back Ben Chilwell, who is out for the rest of the season, is sidelined.
Middlesbrough season form guide (all competitions): L-W-W-L-D-W
Chelsea season form guide: L-W-W-W-W-W
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea Head-To-Head Record:
| Middlesbrough | Draw | Chelsea |
| 31 | 29 | 56 |
The teams last met each other in 2016, and then the Londoners minimally defeated their opponent on the road with a score of 0-1.
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea Predicted XI:
Middlesbrough Predicted XI (3-5-2): Joe Lumley (GK); Patrick McNair, Dael Fry, Lee Peltier; Neil Taylor, Marcus Tavernier, Jonathan Howson, Matt Crooks, Isaiah Jones; Folarin Balogun, Aaron Connolly
Chelsea Predicted XI (3-4-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK); Trevor Chalobah, Antonio Rudiger, Malang Sarr; César Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Saul Niguez, Mateo Kovačić; Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku
Cozy Riverside Stadium
Statistical preview of the match Middlesbrough vs Chelsea:
- Middlesbrough’s winning streak at home is already nine games.
- Chelsea had won 11 of their previous 12 matches.
- German winger Kai Havertz is in great shape (6 goals in the last 8 meetings).
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last 8 matches against Middlesbrough in all competitions.
- Chelsea have won four consecutive FA Cup away games in a row in regulation time.
- Seven of Chelsea’s past eight away matches in the FA Cup have seen less than 3.5 goals scored in total.
- Middlesbrough will donate the proceeds from the sale of tickets for the match with Chelsea to Ukraine.
What has been said before the match:
“They’ll be up here, they’ll be alright. There’s not a lot of sympathy from my point of view towards Thomas and their players. I’m sure their preparation will be absolutely spot-on.”
“I’m sure the occasion, the emotion of playing in the quarter final of the FA Cup against European champions and World champions, the environment, the atmosphere, it will give our players a lot of energy. So that doesn’t bother or worry me – we can just go and give it a real good go.”
“I have trust in the board who are in dialogue with UEFA and the government here to maybe find out an exception or a logical exemption to find a solution to have fans in the stadium. It would be a disadvantage for us today, but this game is for spectators and the game changes with spectators. I’m sure everyone will fight for the chance. These games, any game, is for the spectators and the game is different if supporters are in the ground”
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea Prediction:
We believe that in this match we should not expect another heroic deed from the home team – today Chelsea are in excellent physical and mental shape. Moreover, after their success in the Champions League, the Pensioners are on fire. We expect no other option but a confident win for the visitors through class and a serious rotation of the squad, which will allow Thomas Tuchel to put the optimal lineup.
Paimatch News staff prediction:
We say: Chelsea win in regulation time and total less than 3.5 goals – Yes.