Brighton & Hove Albion vs Middlesbrough ***** Official Match Thread *****

Mellotron said:

We've got a good record with Deadman over the last couple of years haven't we?

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Craig Mackail-Smith is fit for Brighton after a virus and will compete with Sam Vokes for a starting spot against Boro.
Will Buckley and Adam El-Abd are also both available but midfielder Matt Sparrow starts a two-match suspension.

Middlesbrough skipper Matthew Bates will be absent because of a serious knee injury suffered at Ipswich.
Boro boss Tony Mowbray has recalled Scotland international Stephen McManus from his loan spell at Bristol City while Marvin Emnes faces a late test.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• Middlesbrough might hold a 20 wins-to-seven lead over Brighton in competitive matches over 106 years, but in the league on Brighton turf they stand at six wins a piece.
• The Teesside club are bidding for a sixth-straight win in league and cup over the Seagulls, and have not lost in eight matches against them.
• Brighton's most recent victory over Boro was 1-0 at home in the old Second Division in February 1990.

Brighton & Hove Albion
• Brighton face the club immediately below them and on equal points in the play-off zone.
• The Seagulls have avoided defeat in all but one of their 15 Championship matches in 2012, and are defending an unbeaten home record in this calendar year.
• They have conceded only one goal in the opening 10 minutes of their league games this season.

Middlesbrough
• Middlesbrough embark on a 624-mile round trip, in search of a first win in six games, and a 10th league victory this season, away from home.
• They have drawn the last three, all 1-1. Another stalemate would see them registering four successive draws for the second time in this Championship campaign.
• Tony Mowbray's men have only scored one goal in the opening 10 minutes of their league matches this season.

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Mauricio Taricco confirmed that a number of Albion players who fell ill owing to a virus have recovered and are available for selection ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Adam El-Abd, Will Buckley and Craig Mackail-Smith have all been affected within the last ten days but have since returned to full training.

Taricco told seagulls.co.uk, "Everyone is okay. It's just one of those things which happens and you have got to get on with it.

"There are a few that complain about certain aches and pains but everyone will be fit for Saturday."

Elsewhere, Matt Sparrow is unavailable as he begins a two-game suspension after seeing red at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while Gonzalo Jara Reyes will complete his three-game ban against Middlesbrough.

Tommy Elphick continues his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray is expecting to have Seb Hines available for Saturday despite the defender suffering mild concussion against Ipswich Town on Tuesday night, while Matthew Bates will miss out owing to a knee injury suffered during the same game.

Striker Marvin Emnes is being hindered by a knee injury but is expected to make the trip south, while Rhys Williams will be assessed after suffering ankle ligament damage against Leeds United earlier in the month.

Faris Haroun is in contention of making his return from a hamstring injury at the Amex, while Scott McDonald is also expected to be involved for the first time since 1st February.

Danny Coyne has been on the sidelines with a calf injury since January but he has returned to light training.

Albion Kit: Blue-and-white shirts; blue shorts; white socks.

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The Complete Badger said:

The Amex was built for players like Marvin Emnes. I hope he makes it.

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The Complete Badger said:

The Amex was built for players like Marvin Emnes. I hope he makes it.

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The Complete Badger said:

That's good to hear. Was he looking FIT and LEAN?



No, it was built as a theatre of flair, and I'm happy to welcome those that tick many flair boxes (black, dreadlocks etc) in to do battle with our gladiators.

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8ace said:

were loose

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8ace said:

were loose

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pottert said:

anybody know how many boro are bringing?.more than 1000 i presume as the away end is not being split

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perseus said:

Stuck in Essex w/o any petrol

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