On Saturday afternoon Middlesbrough host Burnley at the Riverside Stadium in a game that could be vital for the home side's chances of surviving in the top-flight.
The last few weeks have not been kind to Boro in the Premier League. The north east side currently find themselves 19th in the English top-flight table and seven points from safety. Their situation was made worse by a 4-2 defeat against relegation rivals Hull City last time out.
Steve Agnew’s team does have a game in hand on the teams above them. However, the home side have to start winning games and quickly. Unfortunately for Boro winning has not been their forte of late, as they have won just one of their last 16 league outings.
Four defeats in their last five league outings shows that the home side are struggling to pick up any points at all at the moment. Boro have not won any of their last five Premier League games on home soil, but they have picked up draws in three of those games.
In many ways, Burnley are the perfect visitors for Agnew’s side this weekend. The Clarets have not won any of their last 15 away games in the Premier League over two separate stints in the English top-flight.
In fact, the Clarets have only avoided defeat in three of those 15 away outings. Sean Dyche’s team have also conceded two or more goals in six of their last eight away games in the top-flight.
The visitors are seven points clear of the drop zone, but still need a few more results to be certain of preserving their Premier League status this season. Their home form has been as good as their away form has been bad. They will see this game as the perfect chance to pick up that long-awaited away win in the top-flight.
However, Forebet predicts that Boro will finally break that winless run on home soil and record a priceless win in this clash.