West Ham United v Middlesbrough: Southgate’s looking for a miracle
For Gareth Southgate’s men to retain their Premier League status they are going to need a miracle. First they must beat Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers at Upton Park, hope Newcastle United and Hull City lose and that goal difference swings in their favour in order to stay up. It’s a tall ask but Boro fans will head to the East End of London believing that the Great Escape is still on. Middlesbrough’s failing this season boils down to their inability to score. A return of just 27 goals from 37 matches is terrible and doesn’t bode well for the final day when they must put as many past Robert Green as possible. Their cause will not be helped by the fact that Stewart Downing is out with a broken foot and joins the likes of Emanuel Pogatetz, Didier Digard, Afonso Alvez and Chris Riggott on the sidelines, and that they have lost their past 11 away games in the Premier League. However, Middlesbrough fans will be looking for a repeat of the final day last season when they smashed eight past Manchester City. Although that was at the Riverside and Sven’s players were dreaming about their holidays. Gianfranco Zola has worked wonders at West Ham United and the club, if they can find a new owner in the summer, looks to have a bright future under the little Italian’s guidance. He’s not afraid to give the club’s promising youngsters a chance to prove themselves in the top flight and insists on remaining loyal to the West Ham football philosophy. Next season promises to be one to remember for Hammers around the globe. The Hammers really don’t have that much to play for here really. They can’t qualify for the Europa League and are guaranteed a top 10 finish – who would have thought that back in December? But I’m sure Zola won’t be sending his troops out just for a training session. He will want to win and he will expect his players to be fighting for a first team place for next season. They will also want revenge after Middlesbrough knocked them out of the FA Cup. West Ham haven’t lost on the final day of the season in the top flight since 2001. However, their opponents that day were Middlesbrough, but it was at the Riverside. Could Boro, who have lost their past six meetings with the Irons, live up to their part of the equation with a win over West Ham United? It looks unlikely, especially when you consider that their last win at Upton Park was in 2000, thanks to a Brian Deane penalty, and that they have only scored in the East End twice since then. It could very well be bye-bye Boro.
