Boro will go into the game boyd by their two previous performances at home to Sunderland and away last week at Spurs. Boro managed a win over the Black Cats and only lost last week thanks to a dubious penalty decision. Due to the nature of the performances Steve McClaren keeps faith with the same side for a third game in succession.

Boro will start the game favourites, but Derby too have showed some improvement recently. The Rams held Chelsea last week to a 1-1 draw

Of-course all the pre-match attention is focussing on the return of two Boro old boys. Firstly, Derby manager Colin Todd who only took over from Jim Smith a fortnight ago and secondly Italian hitman Fabrizio Ravenelli. The former Juventus hitman will get a mixed reception on Saturday. Yes he did score a magnificent 31 goals, and was inspirational in getting the Teesiders' to two cup finals, but he left under something of a cloud.

If Boro can keep Ravenelli and Carbone quiet, then they should have enough in attack to win the game. Much will depend on the form of Southgate and Ehiogu.

Prediction: Boro 2 Derby 1

This looks like a very tricky one on paper to predict. Aston Villa are flying high while Newcastle are Newcastle. You never really know. The Geordies home and away form have been so contrasting thus far this season. On their travels Newcastle look great, at home, they have been very poor. Much of it maybe to do with the burden of the 50,000 sell out crowd.

After dreadful home performances against Liverpool and Spurs you must think its about time their form at St James will turn around. Villa are of-course top of the table and undefeated, but the Premiership is wide open this season and anything can happen.