Middlesbrough’s cause could be reinforced when Chelsea are forced to travel with the coach to Teesside, but after seeing Manchester United and Tottenham in previous rounds, they have grounds for confidence when Thomas Tuchel’s team visits Riverside. No matter how Chelsea flew north-east – the government increased the club’s travel money – Chris Wilder could be forgiven for having private conflict emotions. Boro’s manager has made it clear that promotion to the Premier League is top priority this season and an FA Cup semi-final could prove a distraction too far as his players aim to secure a championship play-off spot. Louise Taylor
Saturday 17.15 hrs BBC One
Plaz Riverside
Head to head Middlesbrough 31 Chelsea 55 Draw 29
Arbitrator Paul Tierney
This season G26 Y98 R2 3.85 Cards / Games (all Contests)
Chance H 13-2 A 1-2 D 18-5
MIDDLESBROUGH
Subs out Daniels, Bamba, Connolly, Lea-Siliki, Boola, Boyd-Munce, Coburn, Peltier, Watmore
Doubtful No one
Injured McGree (calf, April), Payero (ankle, April), Ameobi (knee, unknown), Fisher (knee, unknown)
Suspended No one
Discipline Y78 R1 (all Contests)
Form LDWLDW (all Contests)
Main scorer Crooks 9 (all Contests)
CHELSEA
Subs out Mendy, Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Hudson-Odoi, Simons Hall, Vale, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Havertz, Kanté, James, Thiago Silva, Pulisic
Doubtful Christensen (Match Fitness), James (Knock), Hudson-Odoi (Achilles)
Injured Saúl (Covid, unknown), Chilwell (Knee, unknown)
Suspended No one
Discipline Y72 R1 (all Contests)
Form DWWWW (all Contests)
Why Scorer Havertz, Lukaku 11 (all Contests)
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