As if the potential beauty contest between those formidable centre forwards - Álvaro Negredo and Christian Benteke - was not sufficiently compelling, Alan Pardew has spiced things up by naming two Bentekes in his squad. Christian’s younger brother, and fellow striker, Jonathan is expected to be on the bench against a Middlesbrough side unbeaten in the league. Palace have only one point but might the pair’s respective early season positions be deceptive? An intriguing litmus test - not to mention clash of two contrasting counter-attacking styles - beckons. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Riverside Stadium
Last season n/a
Referee Neil Swarbrick
This season G1, Y4, R0, 4.00 cards per game
Odds H 4-3 A 2-1 D 11-5
Middlesbrough
Subs from Guzan, Chambers, Nsue, Da Silva, De Sart, Forshaw, Nugent, Rhodes, Espinosa, Fischer, Traoré
Doubtful None
Injured Leadbitter (groin, Dec)
Suspended None
Form DWD
Discipline Y7 R0
Leading scorer Stuani 2
Crystal Palace
Subs from Hennessey, Speroni, Kelly, Fryers, Lee, Tomkins, Mutch, Flamini, Dreher, Sako, J Benteke, Wickham, Appiah
Doubtful McArthur, Appiah, Sako, Flamini, Tomkins (all fitness)
Injured Campbell (hamstring, 24 Sep), Cabaye (groin, 18 Sep)
Suspended None
Form LLD
Discipline Y8 R0
Leading scorer Dann 1
