Premiership Liverpool v Middlesborough
Posted on | April 18, 2007 | No Comments
While Middlesborough’s season is all but over (with maybe a point or so required to ensure safety), Liverpool still have much to play for as they attempt to leap frog Arsenal into third place in the Premiership, and a lucrative Champions League place for next season. There is also the up and coming Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, as Liverpool look to repeat their famous Champions League final victory.
On the team front, Craig Bellamy is still absent with a knee injury picked up in the last round of the Champions League, and he joins team mates Fabio Aurelio, Harry Kewell and Luis Garcia on the treatment table. Other than that the ‘Reds are at full strength with Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch both on fire at the moment.
Boro’ travel to Merseyside with one of the worst away records in the Premiership, with just one win on the road this season. Their season is in danger of fading away with little likelihood of being dragged back into the relegation battle, but nothing to play for. Manager Gareth Southgate has been forthright and honest about the quality of his team over the last few weeks, suggesting that there will be big changes in the summer.
The Teesside’s will welcome back Emanual Pogatetz and James Morrison from suspensions and Mark Viduka is set to return from a recent illness. However, they will still be without Julio Arca and Robert Huth, who have both been out for some time – and sorely missed. Other than Arca and Viduka, Middlesborough will be at full strength.
Comparisons between the two are full of contradictions, in that Liverpool have one of the best home records (just one defeat all season), while Boro have only won once on their travels. Middlesborough have been leaking goals, and Liverpool have been on fire of late – with Peter Crouch on a great run. As Liverpool have more to play for it would be surprising to see them slip up at this late stage.
Forecast : Home Win
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