FootyMAD's Arsenal match preview

Last updated : 09 January 2004 By Footymad Previewer
History of the Arsenal v Middlesbrough fixture

Middlesbrough face a trip to Arsenal at Highbury on Saturday afternoon, needing to turn around their fortunes at the ground. The Boro will be hoping to improve upon a record which has seen them lose 34 and win only 6 of the 54 games.

The most recent encounter between these two sides was just last season, in December 2002, with Arsenal running out comfortable 2 - 0 winners in a Premiership match.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2003/2004Sun 24 AugMiddlesbrough0 - 4ArsenalPREM
2002/2003Sat 19 AprMiddlesbrough0 - 2ArsenalPREM
2002/2003Sat 21 DecArsenal2 - 0MiddlesbroughPREM
2001/2002Sun 14 AprMiddlesbrough0 - 1ArsenalFAC
2001/2002Sat 29 DecArsenal2 - 1MiddlesbroughPREM
2001/2002Sat 18 AugMiddlesbrough0 - 4ArsenalPREM
2000/2001Sat 14 AprArsenal0 - 3MiddlesbroughPREM

Recent respective form guides

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six home games, winning five of them, and drawing the other one. During these games, Gunners have smashed 13 goals past the opposition and conceded a paltry 2.

Middlesbrough's away form is equally impressive, unbeaten in their last six, consisting of three wins and three draws. The games have constituted a decent return of 8 goals for the Boro, and 1 goals against.

Arsenal sit in a healthy 2nd in the league, and have picked up 46 points from their 20 games. Middlesbrough see themselves just below half way in the Barclaycard Premiership, showing a record of 24 points from their 19 games played so far,

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

Current form guides:PWDLFAP
Arsenal642012214
Middlesbrough6141547

FootyMad's prediction ...

The Boro may be performing admirably on the road, but your FootyMad panel are of the opinion that Arsenal will prove far too strong for them. Home win

Sequence statistics:
Arsenal Won 4 successive home games.
5 games since last home draw.
Unbeaten run of 17 matches.
Middlesbrough Previous 2 away games have finished all-square.
Not won in previous 2 away matches.