Chelsea face a tough trip to Middlesbrough in their next Premiership clash as they look to maintain their recent good form in order to move up their table.

A disastrous start to the season has seen Chelsea slip down to 7th in the league table with just four wins so far this season. More worryingly, Chelsea have netted just 1 goal in the last five league matches, collecting 5 points from a possible 15 which has seen league leaders Arsenal open up a 7 point gap with a game in hand.

However things have slowly started to improve in the recent games with Chelsea managing to win their last three matches against Valencia, Bolton Wanderers and Chicago. With the club management confirming the appointment of former Ajax boss Henk ten Cate as assistant to Avram Grant, things could only improve for Chelsea.

Meanwhile Middlesbrough are on a poor run of form and the team has now suffered three defeats from last four matches. With Boro slowly slipping towards the relegation zone, manager Gareth Southgate will have to ring changes and hope that all his players remain fit if they club is to move up the table.

Southgate has had to deal with a long list of injury to his main players with Jeremie Aliadiere, Tuncay Sanli and Mido all facing some time on the sidelines. With Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to follow next, Southgate will be looking for a good defensive performance from his side to come away with at least a point from this match.

Watch Middlesbrough v Chelsea live online at free-football.tv.