Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Middlesbrough

Crystal Palace entertain Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon hoping to extend their Championship advantage over their opponents to five points.

Both teams have stuttered in recent weeks but still retain a place in the playoffs and Palace can go as high as third place with a victory over the Teesside club.

The Eagles came from two goals behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Watford last Friday and manager Ian Holloway could opt to hand Kevin Phillips his first start for the club since he joined from Blackpool.

Middlesbrough got back to winning ways in the Championship in midweek with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United.

That result strengthened their position in the top six but they will be without goalscorer Curtis Main for their trip to London.

Main was sent off for two yellow cards on Tuesday night so Lukas Jutkiewicz could return to the side.

Recent form

Crystal Palace: LLDLWD

Middlesbrough: LLWLLW

Possible starting lineups:

Crystal Palace: Speroni; Moxey, Delaney, Ramage, Richards; Bolasie, Dikgacoi, Marrow; Dobbie, Zaha, Murray

Middlesbrough: Steele; Bikey, Friend, Williams, Parnaby, Woodgate; Leadbitter, McEachran, Haroun, Carayol; Jutkiewicz

Sports Mole says: 2-1