Middlesbrough v Birmingham

Riverside
Saturday, 1 September
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day. Featured game on Score and Final Score.

Match report to follow later.

BIG-MATCH FACTS

The 100th competitive meeting of Middlesbrough and Birmingham; two clubs averaging a point a game so far in this Premier League campaign.

The Teessiders are aiming to register the 1,500 league win in their history, three days before the 37th birthday of manager Gareth Southgate.

Middlesbrough are defending a 100% home record against Birmingham in the Premier League (four wins out of four).

KEY PLAYER NOTES

MIDDLESBROUGH

MIDO is Middlesbrough's top scorer, with a goal in each of the last two league games.

If he plays:-

Chris RIGGOTT will be participating on his 27th birthday.

Lee CATTERMOLE will be making his 50th Premier League appearance - all for Middlesbrough.

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Cameron JEROME is Birmingham's leading scorer with his brace against Derby last Saturday. The first was the quickest goal of this Premier League season, officially timed at 33 seconds.

Rowan VINE needs a double to total 50 career league goals (Portsmouth, Brentford, Luton and Birmingham).

If he plays:-

Franck QUEUDRUE will be facing his former club. The 29 year old defender made 199 appearances (150 in the league) and scored 12 goals (11 league) for Middlesbrough between October 2001 and July 2006.

Stuart PARNABY will be opposing the club where he started his career. The 25 year old defender made 127 appearances (91 in the league) and scored four goals (two league) for 'Boro, before his arrival at St Andrews this summer.

HEAD TO HEAD

Middlesbrough are looking for a sixth consecutive victory over Birmingham at the Riverside.

Birmingham have not won on Teesside for 27 years, since a 1-2 top-flight triumph on 1 November 1980 when that wily extrovert, Frank Worthington, scored both their goals.

There has never been a draw between these clubs in the Premier League.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Middlesbro 28 wins, Birm'gham 34, Draws 28
Prem: Middlesbro 5 wins, Birmingham 3, Draws 0

at Middlesbrough only
League (inc PL): Middlesbro 20 wins, Birm'gham 10, Draws 15
Prem: Middlesbro 4 wins, Birmingham 0, Draws 0

REFEREE

Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)