Both teams currently sit inside the relegation zone and with the season entering its final quarter Bates knows such matches take on even greater significance.
"It is a big game for us - we have got two big games coming up before the international break," he said.
"We have got Portsmouth at the weekend and then Stoke. We have got to go for the the win in both games and then go into the two-week break with two good wins on our back."
BORO RUN IN
Saturday 14th March 2009 Middlesbrough v Portsmouth 15.00
Saturday 21st March 2009 Stoke City v Middlesbrough 15.00
Saturday 04th April 2009 Bolton v Middlesbrough 15.00
Saturday 11th April 2009 Middlesbrough v Hull City 15.00
Saturday 18th April 2009 Middlesbrough v Fulham 15.00
Sunday 26th April 2009 Arsenal v Middlesbrough 13.30
Saturday 02nd May 2009 Middlesbrough v Man Utd 15.00
Saturday 09th May 2009 Newcastle v Middlesbrough 15.00
Saturday 16th May 2009 Middlesbrough v Aston Villa 15.00
Sunday 24th May 2009 West Ham v Middlesbrough 16.00