Premier League strugglers Middlesbrough are desperate for a victory over Hull City as they fight relegation back to the Championship after just a year in the top flight.

The Tigers are four points ahead and they are the favourites to win the game but the underdogs hope to cause an upset.

Middlesbrough would be depending on Alvaro Negredo to lead the attack with Gaston Ramirez and Fabio Da Silva out due to ankle and head injuries respectively. Rudy Gestede is available as Victor Valdes,AdamaTraore– who has the most Premier League dribbles this season alongside Eden Hazard of Chelsea –, and the rest. Going away is a big test for Boro since they have not defeated the home team since April 2011 where they met in the Championship.

Hull have been decent in their home games since Marco Silva took over. Silva always churns good home results; from his time at Estoril, Sporting, Olympiakos and now Hull.

On the other hand, Steve Agnew’s side have failed to get a victory after 12 games in the league. They played a draw in five and lost the rest. In fact, in the last 28 away games, their only win was against Sunderland last August.

Hull City would be without right back Omar Elabdellaoui. The player, who is on loan at City, has been sidelined with back injury. Star player Tom Huddlestone would not feature in the match as he remains suspended following his red card. They have Abel Hernandez, Michael Dawson, OumarNiasse, Alfred N’Diaye and the rest to ensure victory.