Newcastle/Middlesbrough, Premier League, 8pm, Setanta Sports 1

Unless West Brom do the unthinkable, there will be no Great Escape this season: if either Newcastle or Middlesbrough survive it won’t be because of a remarkable turnaround or inspirational management, it will be thanks to Hull’s recent ineptitude, and a scrappy win or two.

The stats suggest that neither Alan Shearer nor Gareth Southgate will get the three points they desperately need in tonight’s Tyne-Tees derby, with Hull looking like the most likely winners. Our friends at chickendinner provide five reasons why a draw is on the cards:

1. The last four meetings between Newcastle and Middlesbrough at St James’ Park have finished level.

2. In total, seven of the last nine clashes between the two sides have been drawn, including each of the last four.

3. Newcastle have drawn 13 league games this season, more than any other club in the division.

4. The stats suggest that neither side has the form to win. The Magpies haven’t won at home since Christmas and have failed to take three points from any of their last ten games.

5. Middlesbrough haven’t won any of their last 11 away league games since beating Aston Villa in November. The glimmer of hope for Newcastle is that Boro have lost their last ten. However, they have lost their last two and have at no point in 2009 lost three in succession.

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