Middlesbrough, England (Sports Network) - Middlesbrough heads down the stretch in the Premiership with a chance to earn a spot in Europe next season.
In order to achieve this goal, Steve McLaren's side will need to finish the campaign strong. It all starts Saturday when Boro welcomes Arsenal to The Riverside.
But McLaren's side will be shorthanded after it learned this week Mark Viduka will be out for the season with a hamstring injury. Viduka returned for just 11 minutes in last weekend's win at Crystal Palace. The former Leeds star had missed the club's previous 17 games due to the injury. Bolo Zenden and Joseph Job are also not available for selection against Arsenal.
"Our squad is not in the ideal condition going into this game," McLaren said. "We thought we had a few back last week, but we've lost more this week."
Arsenal have won nine of its 12 matches at Riverside and could get England international defender Sol Campbell back after a long stint on the sidelines due to injury. Captain Patrick Vieira is also expected to return from a back injury.
Chelsea's 50-year title drought gets closer to ending each week as Jose Mourinho's side continues to cruise in Premiership action. The Blues will be looking for their sixth straight league win when they host Birmingham on Saturday.
Chelsea has a second-leg Champions League quarterfinal match to worry about next week. The Blues posted a 4-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg on Wednesday, but Mourinho has the deep, talented squad needed to overcome the wear and tear of so many matches.
"It is not easy because we want to win this game," Drogba said. "But we also have to prepare for Tuesday's game (against Bayern). But we have a big squad to play those two games."
Portsmouth's first match with Alain Perrin in charge will be at home Saturday against Charlton. Pompey needs points to assure they will not be relegated.
Liverpool has an opportunity to grab fourth place when it plays Saturday at Manchester City. Rafael Benitez's squad also has to worry about a Champions League match next week when they travel to Turin to take on Juventus. Liverpool won the first leg 2-1 Tuesday at Anfield.
The Reds can pass crosstown rival Everton with a win over Manchester City. Slumping Everton hosts Crystal Palace on Sunday as it tries to hold on to the coveted position for the final Champions League spot next season.
Aston Villa hosts West Bromwich and Tottenham welcomes Newcastle in Sunday's other matches. West Bromwich is attempting to avoid relegation and will be looking for its third straight win. Aston Villa is coming off an impressive performance against Newcastle.
Toon seem to have overcome the Lee Bowyer/Kieron Dyer embarrassment with a UEFA Cup victory on Thursday. Tottenham, meanwhile, is attempting to grab its third straight positive result.
WEEKEND PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
SATURDAY:
Blackburn - Southampton
Bolton - Fulham
Chelsea - Birmingham
Manchester City - Liverpool
Middlesbrough - Arsenal
Portsmouth - Charlton Athletic
Norwich - Manchester United
SUNDAY:
Aston Villa - West Bromwich
Everton - Crystal Palace Tottenham - Newcastle United
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In order to achieve this goal, Steve McLaren's side will need to finish the campaign strong. It all starts Saturday when Boro welcomes Arsenal to The Riverside.
But McLaren's side will be shorthanded after it learned this week Mark Viduka will be out for the season with a hamstring injury. Viduka returned for just 11 minutes in last weekend's win at Crystal Palace. The former Leeds star had missed the club's previous 17 games due to the injury. Bolo Zenden and Joseph Job are also not available for selection against Arsenal.
"Our squad is not in the ideal condition going into this game," McLaren said. "We thought we had a few back last week, but we've lost more this week."
Arsenal have won nine of its 12 matches at Riverside and could get England international defender Sol Campbell back after a long stint on the sidelines due to injury. Captain Patrick Vieira is also expected to return from a back injury.
Chelsea's 50-year title drought gets closer to ending each week as Jose Mourinho's side continues to cruise in Premiership action. The Blues will be looking for their sixth straight league win when they host Birmingham on Saturday.
Chelsea has a second-leg Champions League quarterfinal match to worry about next week. The Blues posted a 4-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg on Wednesday, but Mourinho has the deep, talented squad needed to overcome the wear and tear of so many matches.
"It is not easy because we want to win this game," Drogba said. "But we also have to prepare for Tuesday's game (against Bayern). But we have a big squad to play those two games."
Portsmouth's first match with Alain Perrin in charge will be at home Saturday against Charlton. Pompey needs points to assure they will not be relegated.
Liverpool has an opportunity to grab fourth place when it plays Saturday at Manchester City. Rafael Benitez's squad also has to worry about a Champions League match next week when they travel to Turin to take on Juventus. Liverpool won the first leg 2-1 Tuesday at Anfield.
The Reds can pass crosstown rival Everton with a win over Manchester City. Slumping Everton hosts Crystal Palace on Sunday as it tries to hold on to the coveted position for the final Champions League spot next season.
Aston Villa hosts West Bromwich and Tottenham welcomes Newcastle in Sunday's other matches. West Bromwich is attempting to avoid relegation and will be looking for its third straight win. Aston Villa is coming off an impressive performance against Newcastle.
Toon seem to have overcome the Lee Bowyer/Kieron Dyer embarrassment with a UEFA Cup victory on Thursday. Tottenham, meanwhile, is attempting to grab its third straight positive result.
WEEKEND PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
SATURDAY:
Blackburn - Southampton
Bolton - Fulham
Chelsea - Birmingham
Manchester City - Liverpool
Middlesbrough - Arsenal
Portsmouth - Charlton Athletic
Norwich - Manchester United
SUNDAY:
Aston Villa - West Bromwich
Everton - Crystal Palace Tottenham - Newcastle United
Sportsnetwork.com
