Dion Dublin
Former Leicester and Man Utd forward on Final Score

It is a difficult skill. The technical ability of Negredo was fantastic.

Image source, Reuters

David Simpson: Boro look so toothless. Wonder what Southgate (in the stands) thinks.

The England manager and former Boro boss is up in the stands this afternoon. 

We're seeing lots of heavy touches. Gylfi Sigurdsson is found in space in a pocket before the Boro back four but lets the move down with a miscontrol.

Now Wayne Routledge is caught offside, right down on the touchline. Unforgivable.

A poor touch from Fernando Llorente at a Swansea throw lets Stewart Downing scamper in. 

There's much more Boro pressure now. Adams Forshaw and Clayton applying the squeeze in midfield.

Calum Chambers takes too big a bite at Llorente's heels and is penalised.

Bad times for Viktor Fischer. He's having to come off after all, and looks to be in a bit of pain. 

Stewart Downing an early replacement on Boro's left wing.

Image source, Getty Images

Gaston Ramirez has been at the heart of so much that's been good about Boro so far this season and he picks out Alvaro Negredo with a lovely lofted pass to the back stick. 

The Spanish striker's stab towards goal is awkward for Lukas Fabianski, and the Polish stopper has to rely on his centre-backs to clear after a soft parry. Bit of a flap.

Boro forward Viktor Fischer might have a bit of a problem here. He's taken a big knock from Alfie Mawson in a 50-50 and is getting treatment on his knee.

Back up now. He should be OK.

Image source, PA

Better from the hosts now. Some nice controlled passing forces Swansea to retreat slightly, they had Boro really pushed back there. 

But Bob Bradley's side are still looking slicker in possession, and there seems to be space out wide for Modou Barrow if they can find him. 

Gylfi! 

Iceland forward Sigurdsson smashes a long-range effort that's palmed away by Victor Valdes. Consider the gloves well and truly warmed.

Great start from the Swans.

A boom up the park towards Fernando Llorente opens up space for Modou Barrow to dart down the right in an early opening for the away side. 

Boro are very quickly undone but Ben Gibson, captain today, manages to scrabble back and clear Barrow's return pass to the Spanish striker. 

Here we go then. Boro get us under way.

Middlesbrough aren't exactly known for their goalscoring prowess mind you. 

They've scored just 13 goals in 16 games, the fewest in the league. Alvaro Negredo and Christian Stuani (not playing today) are the club's joint top scorers, with three goals. 

Dion Dublin
Former Leicester and Man Utd forward on Final Score

Swansea need to take points away from the teams around them.

They can't defend the way they have done recently.

In the tunnel, all eyes forward. Silent contemplation. Focus. 

Here we go...

• This is the first top-flight meeting between the sides since 1982 and only Swansea's third competitive game at the Riverside Stadium (W1, D1).
• The Swans have won the last three encounters with Boro in league and cup - including a 4-3 win on Teesside in a Championship game in February 2011.
• Swansea's last defeat away to Middlesbrough was a 1-0 loss at Ayresome Park in a Division Two game on 26 November 1983.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Having been at Middlesbrough's win over Hull this month, I have seen how reluctant they are to commit players forward.

That is making it hard for Alvaro Negredo, who is up front on his own a lot of the time, and they are scoring very few goals.

So it is a team who don't score many against a team who concede a lot. It's difficult to predict, but I am going to go with Boro.

Prediction: 2-0

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator

Earlier in the season, Aitor Karanka spoke about "our league",, external by which he meant the importance of games against the other teams set to battle it out near the bottom.

Well, Middlesbrough have beaten the only other two teams currently below them, so if they can complete the set by winning this one then their boss can enjoy a 'Feliz Navidad'., external

Bob Bradley's hopes of a 'Happy Holidays' are arguably even MORE dependent on results, with this the first of four key matches for his Swans over the festive period.

Their first priority must surely be not losing this one, whilst Boro will only be happy with a win.

Swansea City

Swansea manager Bob Bradley: "You look at the table and games against teams that are closer to you do take on more importance.

"But I think we can all agree that every game is massive for us right now. We understand that the start to the season we have had, and the league position we are in, make it extra important every time we step on to the field.

"If we can put a little bit of a run together at some point, then all of a sudden we would be out of the bottom three."

Image source, Getty Images