The final instalment of Boro's 'eight days of destiny' takes place at the Goldsands Stadium tomorrow lunchtime .
Aitor Karanka's men go into the six-pointer in good spirits following Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Derby while Bournemouth were held to a 1-1 draw at Cardiff.
The outcome of Saturday's game looks too close to call - so to try and get a handle on the teams, two writers who cover the clubs home and away have analysed the likely starting XI.
For Boro, the Gazette's Boro Editor Philip Tallentire has assessed each player's current form, while Ned Payne of the Bournemouth Echo has run the rule over the Cherries' starting XI.
Goalkeeper
Artur Boruc: Has been very good since arriving on loan from Southampton. He's got great presence and is an excellent shot stopper. Bournemouth are lucky to have him. 7/10
Dimi Konstantopoulos: Still the model of consistency, though benefits greatly from playing in front of the division's best defence. 7/10
Right-back
Simon Francis: He's a very, very reliable defender – solid all season. He's excellent going forward and a good crosser of the ball. Francis works very well with Matt Ritchie, who plays in front of him down the right. 8/10
Tomas Kalas: Proving to be extremely versatile, slotting in at full-back or centre-back with ease. Mobile, comfortable in possession and good reader of play, Kalas has proved a crucial winter loan signing. 8/10
Centre-back
Tommy Elphick: Like Francis, he's been solid all season. A traditional centre-back, he's a good leader and organiser and will throw his body in the way of anything heading in his direction. 8/10
Jonathan Woodgate: Proved in the games against Blackpool, Ipswich and Derby that age hasn't dulled a razor-sharp football brain. Is always in the right position to make a timely interception. 9/10
Centre-back
Steve Cook: He's an up and coming player whose a more technical footballer than Elphick. He's a good reader of the game and makes one or two vital challenges in every game. Cook's been linked with a host of clubs. 8/10
Ben Gibson: The young defender has now emerged as a genuine first team regular, improving all aspects of his game year-on-year. His distribution in particular has moved to another level. 8/10
Left-back
Charlie Daniels: Has a good relationship with with Marc Pugh down the left flank and the partnership is on course to be as effective as Francis and Ritchie's. Daniels has kicked on over the last month or so. 8/10
George Friend: There were signs that Boro's hectic programme was taking its toll but the hard-working full-back was back to his best against Ipswich and, in particular, Derby where he kept dangerman Thomas Ince under wraps all night. 8/10
Central midfield
Harry Arter: An all-action player, Arter, who was suspended recently, is having a very good season, chipping in a few more goals. He's the kind of player who unlocks defences and has been called up by Ireland. 8/10
Adam Clayton: A Mr Reliable who works tirelessly for the team. The kind of player who tackles ferociously, passes perceptively and makes last ditch interceptions to thwart the opposition. 8/10
Central midfield
Andrew Surman: He doesn't get forward too much, he's very much a steady Eddie, winning the ball and then playing it simple to a team-mate. Surman's a very good passer of the ball, probably the best in the team and maybe doesn't get the plaudits he deserves. 9/10
Grant Leadbitter: Boasts an incredible will to win. Leadbitter complements Clayton in the engine room in terms of providing protection for the back four but also kick-starts attacking moves and leads by example. The goals have dried up, though, with only one to his name so far this year. 9/10
Right wing
Matt Ritchie: Right up there in terms of the number of assists he's got to his name in the Championship. He's a great crosser of the ball and not afraid to have a shot, chipping in with vital goals. Ritchie has been a bit quiet recently, though. 7/10
Albert Adomah: Defensive duties have dulled his attacking instincts at times this season but looked somewhere near his best against Ipswich. Remains a potent threat in the final third. 7/10
Left wing
Marc Pugh: One of those consistent players who has improved throughout the season. Regarded by some as a League One player, he has proved his doubters wrong. Although he is not blessed by blistering pace but uses tricks like body-swerves and step-overs. 8/10
Lee Tomlin: Played out of position on the left at Derby, Tomlin nonetheless created Boro's winner with a dazzling moment of skill. The kind of player who can turn the course of a match in an instant, he does, however, look most effective in the No10 role. 8/10
No. 10 role
Brett Pitman: A long-serving member of the team who recently passed 100 goals for the club. Exceptionally hard working, he really puts a shift in, and he's a good goalscorer who rarely gets affected by missing the target. 8/10
Jelle Vossen: Second to none in terms of workrate, the Belgian has had to fit in where there's a vacancy most of the season. As he showed against Ipswich and Derby, he can be a dangerous player. 7/10
Striker
Callum Wilson He has blistering pace and must be one of the fastest strikers in the division. He's an excellent finisher and full of confidence. He's back among the goals after a recent dry spell. 8/10
Patrick Bamford: Has hit top form over the past week or so, scoring two against Ipswich and a stunning winner against Derby. He looks the complete front man; tall, strong, brave, skilful and quick-thinking in the box. 10/10
Total score
Bournemouth: 87/110
Boro: 89/110
