Morning all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough welcome Leicester City in what should be an entertaining fixture. Boro have lost four of their last five in the league to drop dangerously close to the bottom three, but Leicester moved six points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over West Ham United at the weekend.

Middlesbrough are actually winless in their last 13 league games against Leicester – losing six times in the process. Indeed, not since March 2002 have Middlesbrough recorded a league win (1-0) over the Foxes. In the reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium in November, Leicester twice came from behind to draw 2-2 courtesy of penalties from Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani.

The last league fixture between Middlesbrough and Leicester in this stadium came in August 2013 and it was Leicester that won that particular Championship clash 2-1. Times have changed at both clubs since then, but the statistics point to an away victory this afternoon. One thing is for certain, both of these sides are in need of the points at the start of 2017. It should be an entertaining contest.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Riverside Stadium. Is it a case of same again from their league fixtures at the weekend, or have changes been made? Two matches in the space of a couple of days will be very tough on the older legs!

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TEAMS!

BORO: Guzan; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Fabio; Clayton, De Roon, Forshaw; Traore, Negredo, Ramirez

LEICESTER: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; King, Amartey, Mendy, Mahrez; Okazaki, Ulloa

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has made five changes to the team that started Saturday's clash with Manchester United. Victor Valdes misses out through injury, which means that Brad Guzan comes in between the sticks for a rare start. Elsewhere, Antonio Barragan and Fabio replace Bernardo Espinosa and George Friend at the back, while Adam Clayton and Gaston Ramirez are in for Stewart Downing and Grant Leadbitter. Alvaro Negredo and Adama Traore, however, both keep their spots in the final third.

As for Leicester, head coach Claudio Ranieri has also made five changes to the XI that started their 1-0 win over West Ham United at the weekend. Islam Slimani miss out through illness, while Danny Drinkwater is rested. Christian Fuchs replaces Ben Chilwell at left-back, while Andy King and Nampalys Mendy come in to freshen the midfield. It appears that the Foxes will line up in a 4-4-2 formation this afternoon as Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa are both handed spots in the final third. Daniel Amartey and Riyad Mahrez, meanwhile, both keep their places following the West Ham clash at the King Power Stadium.

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So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold, late morning in Middlesbrough. There is no question that Karanka's side have impressed during periods of the season, but the cold, hard facts show that they are down in 16th position in the Premier League table and now just four points clear of 18th-place Sunderland.

Four wins, six draws and nine defeats have brought Middlesbrough 18 Premier League points this season and while just 22 goals conceded is up there with the best records in the division, they have only managed 17 league goals. To put that number into context, only Hull City (16) have hit the back of the net on fewer occasions than Middlesbrough during the 2016-17 Premier League season.

Between October 22 and December 5, Middlesbrough only lost once in the Premier League and managed to pick up draws at both Arsenal and Manchester City. They have lost four of their last five, however, which has seen them drop dangerously close to the bottom three. Scoring goals, as shown above, has been the main issue for the newly-promoted side this term.

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A 3-0 victory over basement side Swansea City on December 17 brought a massive three points for Karanka's side, but they lost 1-0 at Burnley on December 26, before suffering a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United at the weekend. They actually led into the final five minutes at Old Trafford, but goals from Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba turned that particular fixture on its head very late on.

In terms of what is ahead for Middlesbrough, they will welcome Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday to the Riverside in the third round of the FA Cup next weekend, before visiting an inconsistent Watford in the league on January 14. The month then ends with back-to-back home league matches against West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion, which are absolutely vital.

As for Leicester, there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disastrous title defence for the Foxes. No-one will ever be able to take away their sensational Premier League triumph from last season, but they currently sit down in 15th in the Premier League table after 19 matches and are just six points clear of the relegation zone. This is another vital match for Ranieri's side.

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A 4-2 win over Manchester City on December 10 was a step in the right direction for the Foxes, but they then suffered a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth. A 2-2 draw against Stoke City followed on December 17, but there was then more disappointment on Boxing Day as they lost 2-0 at home to Everton. It has been very difficult for Ranieri's side to put together a consistent run of form this season.

Saturday brought Leicester a very important three points, however, as they recorded a 1-0 victory at home to West Ham United. The worry is that the Foxes are winless in their last 11 Premier League away games, drawing four and losing seven times in the process. They were so impressive on the road last season, but it has been a different story this time around. Will that change this afternoon?

Incredibly, Leicester's return of two points from their first nine away games of the season is the joint-lowest total by a defending top-flight champion, alongside Blackburn Rovers and Derby County in 1995-96 and 1972-73 respectively. Right, we are now just about 10 minutes from kickoff on this cold and breezy afternoon in Middlesbrough. I actually fancy a score draw at the Riverside.

LIVE PHOTOS 📸| Warm-ups underway at the Riverside #UTB pic.twitter.com/8UHfKzEoOr — Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 2, 2017

Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Riverside. You just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Decent crowd inside the stadium this afternoon and there is a good atmosphere. Here's to an entertaining game!

KICKOFF! Middlesbrough kick things off on home soil...

... interestingly, Mahrez seems to have started through the middle for Leicester, with Okazaki just dropping into a deeper position. That could well change as the match develops, but Mahrez is very central alongside Ulloa at the moment. No surprises in the team shape or formation for Middlesbrough.

It is the Leicester supporters making most of the noise in the early exchanges here, but the Middlesbrough fans have also turned out in their numbers this afternoon. Not too much to report in terms of excitement in the early minutes as both teams battle for control of the possession here.

Traore shows his incredible pace as he drives past King and Fuchs in a wide position, but the attacker's final touch is just a little clumsy and the ball goes behind for a Leicester goal kick.

Ramirez is guilty of a heavy touch this time as Fabio picks out the attacker with a super pass, but Morgan is back to make the challenge after the former Southampton man had taken it too wide.

Half-chance for Leicester this time as Huth flicks a header towards Okazaki, but the centre-forward's effort is weak and straight at Guzan, who can collect and release down-field. Just a few signs that both teams are warming to their task, which is good news for the neutral here.

Fuchs's low effort from distance is just wide of Guzan's far post.

Leicester have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Ramirez brings Mahrez to the deck...

... Mahrez strikes the set piece straight into the Middlesbrough wall.

Leicester are enjoying a lot of the ball at the moment and Mahrez has been central to their threat in the opening 13 minutes. Middlesbrough are just struggling to get going in the final third here.

Middlesbrough just need to put their foot on the ball here in order to prevent Leicester's flow of pressure. Neither side has created a clear chance in the opening 16 minutes of this match, but the away team have been the more productive in the final third. Mahrez has been impressive thus far.

Poor control from Traore as Ramirez looks to release the former Barcelona man.

Traore goes down inside the Leicester box under a clumsy challenge from Huth, but the referee is not interested. It was a bit of a theatrical fall from Traore, but there was certainly some contact.

CHANCE! Super cross from Traore this time as the Middlesbrough man finds space down the right before delivering into De Roon, but the midfielder fires over the crossbar from close range.

Leicester have another free kick in a very dangerous area as De Roon fells Mahrez...

... King's set piece is straight into the body of Guzan.

Leicester again fail to deal with a cross into their box as De Roon makes contact on a delivery from Barragan, but Negredo cannot beat Morgan in the air and the danger is eventually cleared. It is the home side looking the most likely to score with 25 minutes on the clock at the Riverside.

Negredo looks to turn away from Simpson inside the Leicester box, but the right-back does well to hold off the striker and the danger is eventually cleared. It must be said that the opening 27 minutes of this match have flown past. I expected a good game, and that has been the case.

BOOKING! Ramirez (Boro) is booked for dissent.

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still locked at 0-0 at the Riverside. Middlesbrough have had the better chances, but Leicester are very dangerous when Mahrez picks up the ball. It does appear that the first goal - if there is one - will be all-important in this contest.

Middlesbrough have the chance to threaten from a set piece in a wide position and Ramirez finds Negredo with a super ball, but the striker can only stretch and turn his effort into the side-netting.

Barragan seems to have pulled his hamstring and that will be game over for the right-back.

BORO SUB! Friend replaces Barragan, who has indeed pulled his hamstring and looks distraught as he now faces a few weeks on the sidelines. Far from ideal for Middlesbrough at this stage.

Traore again shows the bad side of his game as he delivers a terrible cross under no pressure after Middlesbrough had opened up Leicester. That is something that he really needs to work on.

It has been a bit of a battle in the last five minutes as both teams compete for possession in the middle of the park. We might not have had a goal in the opening 39 minutes of this match, but it has been a brilliant game to watch. Both managers will be fairly content at this stage of events.

De Roon has a powerful strike from distance deflected wide of the Leicester post.

We have not seen too much from Ulloa in this first period and it would not be a surprise to see Ranieri introduce Musa in the second period. You sense that pace would hurt this Middlesbrough back four. Mahrez has been very dangerous when given the chance to turn and run at the hosts.

Comfortable save from Guzan to keep out Mahrez's low effort.

BOOKING! Gibson (Boro) is booked for a pull on Mahrez.

The atmosphere has just dropped as we approach the half-time break and it does appear that both teams have settled for 0-0 at the interval. It must be said that this opening half of action has absolutely flown past. No goals, but plenty of high-tempo football and tasty challenges.

We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. It might be goalless, but it has been an entertaining game of football at the Riverside. Middlesbrough have had the better of the chances that have arrived, but Leicester have also carried a threat.

STATISTICS! Middlesbrough have shaded the possession with 56%, but they actually failed to hit the target with any of their three attempts in the first period. Leicester, meanwhile, managed two shots on target from five attempts. Two bookings to report - Ramirez and Gibson for the home side.

BENCH WATCH! Middlesbrough have already been forced into a change this afternoon - Friend taking the place of Barragan, who pulled a hamstring. Karanka, however, still has options in the shape of Downing, Leadbitter, Rhodes and Stuani. As for Leicester, Vardy is still suspended and Slimani unwell, but Musa, Gray and Albrighton provide attacking options for the champions here.

No goals in this one just yet... #MIDLEI pic.twitter.com/Deb7XtWiGX

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2017

RESTART! Leicester resume the action at the Riverside...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind for the second period here.

Traore's touch and final ball needs a lot of work, but my word can he run. You almost have to accept the downfalls in his game because of what he gives Middlesbrough in the final third. If the hosts are to collect all three points this afternoon, you sense that the attacker will play a huge part in it.

Schmeichel drops down to keep out Friend's strike from distance.

Fabio and Traore combine down the right for Middlesbrough, but Leicester have bodies back and the away side can clear their lines once again. You do get the feeling that one goal could be enough to decide this match, although it is still a very open game of football early in the second period.

Leicester just cannot seem to get out at the moment as Middlesbrough continue to threaten in wide positions and Fabio is seeing a lot of the ball down the right as he continues to drive past Traore.

Just a few signs that Leicester are settling into this second period as they enjoy a period of possession, but they are finding it difficult to breach this Middlesbrough defence, which has actually been very good for long spells of this season. Mahrez is the one who could hurt them.

Middlesbrough ride their luck as King delivers a super cross into the home side's box and a blue shirt cannot make contact. That was a chance for Leicester, but no-one gambled. King then finds a bit of space outside the box and fires into the stands. Still goalless with 56 minutes on the clock.

Little over 30 minutes of this Premier League fixture remaining and we are still locked at 0-0. We are indeed entering the period of the match where both managers will be considering changes as legs begin to tire. Middlesbrough had to work very hard against Man United on Saturday, while Leicester had to dig deep to beat West Ham. Mistakes at this stage of the contest could be very costly indeed.

In truth, a point apiece would not be the worst result in the world for either side this afternoon, but a win would be so valuable. In fairness, neither team is settling for a point as they continue to drive forward, but the final ball from both has been disappointing. Not too much happening at the moment.

CHANCE! Friend delivers a wonderful cross into the Leicester box and it appears that a red shirt is going to get a touch, but everyone misses it and Leicester manage to clear!

De Roon has impressed for Middlesbrough this afternoon and more good work from the midfielder sees him hold off Amartey and release Ramirez, but the attacker's touch is not quite right and Huth is on hand to make the clearance. Still goalless with 64 minutes on the clock here.

Traore releases Fabio as Middlesbrough again attack down the right, but Fuchs is across to make the challenge and Leicester clear once again. Still no movement on either bench at the Riverside.

Traore delivers another low cross into the Leicester box, but Huth is on hand to make the clearance. Huth and Morgan have been excellent at the heart of the Leicester back four this afternoon.

CHANCE! Friend drives into the Leicester box and looks to find the top corner, but his effort was always flying away from the goal. Brilliant work from the skipper once again.

SAVE! Guzan is across to keep out Ulloa's header from a corner.

Friend picks out Forshaw with another super cross, but the midfielder cannot make proper contact and Leicester clear their lines once again. Musa is about to enter the field for the away side here.

LEICESTER SUB! Musa replaces Mahrez for the away side.

You just get the feeling that there is a late goal in this match as Middlesbrough continue to press. Musa's pace could be key for Leicester as they attempt to sit back and threaten on the counter-attack.

LEICESTER SUB! Gray replaces Okazaki for the away side.

Leicester are very, very deep at the moment and that is inviting Middlesbrough to press their two full-backs forward. You still get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail here.

There are just too many bodies back for Leicester as Middlesbrough are frustrated once again when Traore looks to feed Negredo inside the box. Full-throttle football with 79 minutes on the clock.

BORO SUB! Downing replaces Traore for the home side.

CHANCE! Stunning chance for the home side as Ramirez finds space inside the Leicester box following a poor clearance from Morgan, but he somehow fires wide of the post!

LEICESTER SUB! Albrighton replaces Mendy for the away side.

Not too much happening at the moment as the referee is forced to stop play following a head injury to Gibson. It does appear that the points are going to be shared at the Riverside this afternoon.

Gibson is still down after that clash of heads. Looked a really nasty one for the centre-back.

Perhaps one final chance in this match and it does appear that it will come for Middlesbrough as they continue to boss the possession. Leicester are very deep at the moment here.

BORO SUB! Leadbitter replaces Forshaw for the home side.

We are into the first of five additional minutes at the Riverside Stadium.

Albrighton delivers into Ulloa as Leicester look to secure all the points following a quick counter-attack, but the striker's header is over the crossbar. Musa absolutely skinned Clayton there.

BOOKING! Clayton (Boro) is booked after the referee revisits his challenge.

Perhaps one final chance for the home side as they continue to deliver high into the Leicester box, although time is fast running out at the Riverside. Still plenty left inside the stadium here.

Downing heads a Fabio cross towards De Roon, but Leicester clear their lines once again and that could be that in terms of this match. Middlesbrough have shaded things overall, but it does appear that they are going to have to settle for a point against the Premier League champions.

Last chance for Leicester as Ramirez fells King outside the Middlesbrough box...

... Gray floats a cross into the box and King makes contact, but Guzan saves.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams playing out a goalless draw at the Riverside. Middlesbrough had the better of the contest, but Leicester were dogged defensively and have secured a point on the road. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again and be sure to stick around the site for more Premier League football!