Middlesbrough’s cause might have been enhanced had Chelsea been forced to travel to Teesside by coach but, after seeing off Manchester United and Tottenham in earlier rounds, they have reasons for confidence when Thomas Tuchel’s team visit the Riverside. Yet as Chelsea flew north-east – the government having increased the club’s travel allowance – Chris Wilder could have been forgiven for harbouring privately conflicted emotions. Boro’s manager has made it clear promotion to the Premier League is this season’s overriding priority and an FA Cup semi-final could prove a distraction too far as his players aim to secure a Championship play-off place. Louise Taylor
Saturday 5.15pm BBC One
Venue Riverside
Head to head Middlesbrough 31 Chelsea 55 Draws 29
Referee Paul Tierney
This season G26 Y98 R2 3.85 cards/game (all competitions)
Odds H 13-2 A 1-2 D 18-5
MIDDLESBROUGH
Subs from Daniels, Bamba, Connolly, Lea-Siliki, Boola, Boyd-Munce, Coburn, Peltier, Watmore
Doubtful None
Injured McGree (calf, Apr), Payero (ankle, Apr), Ameobi (knee, unknown), Fisher (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y78 R1 (all competitions)
Form LDWLDW (all competitions)
Leading scorer Crooks 9 (all competitions)
CHELSEA
Subs from 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 None
Discipline Y72 R1 (all competitions)
Form DWWWWW (all competitions)
Leading scorers Havertz, Lukaku 11 (all competitions)
