Tony Mowbray is expecting Chelsea to field a strong line-up for tonight’s FA Cup clash at the Riverside.
Chelsea were forced into a replay against Brentford in the previous round and the Middlesbrough boss believes Rafa Benitez will take no chances in a bid to avoid another unwanted extra game.
Mowbray, whose side have dropped to one position below the Championship play-off places after seven defeats in nine games, said: “When you manage a club that expect to win every competition they enter, or be very competitive, it’s a big game for Chelsea.
“That’s why I think they will come with a very strong side. The last thing they would want is a replay. It’s the last thing we would want as well because the League games are ultimately the most important thing.
“In the context of our season, our target is to get out of this League. The last month or so has been hugely disappointing for us and yet we can take this game in isolation and be positive.”
Mowbray believes his players should not be overawed tonight, after they knocked Sunderland out of the Capital One Cup in the fourth round and impressed as they were beaten 1-0 by eventual winners Swansea.
“We acquitted ourselves pretty well in both games,” he said. “It shows the players they can do it, they can go and compete because if Chelsea were playing at Sunderland tonight, you would all expect Sunderland to give them a tough game and be competitive.
“We have beaten Sunderland and why can’t Middlesbrough give Chelsea a really tough game and be competitive? I am sure we will be.”
Boro will be without the injured Jonathan Woodgate and Lukas Jutkiewicz. Josh McEachran, on loan from Chelsea, is ineligible along with Kieron Dyer and Sammy Ameobi.
