Summary

  • Leicester remain winless away this season

  • Mahrez's last game before Africa Cup of Nations

  • Point takes Boro five points above bottom three

  1. League One previewpublished at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    Sheffield UnitedImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Sheffield United are one point clear at the top of League One

    Everyone is playing in League One today, starting with AFC Wimbledon at home to Millwall at 13:00 GMT.

    The rest of the games begin at 15:00 GMT and leaders Sheffield United will be aiming for their fifth successive league win when they play away at Bury.

    If the Blades slip-up then second-placed Bolton will go top with a victory at a Coventry side that have not won a league game in two months. 

    Southend, unbeaten in 12 league matches, play at Swindon, Bradford will be aiming to end a five-game winless run at Northampton with the other teams in the play-offs, Scunthorpe and Rochdale, playing Peterborough and Walsall respectively.

    At the bottom, Oldham in 24th entertain Port Vale, Chesterfield take on Milton Keynes Dons and Shrewsbury meet Fleetwood.

  2. Oscar performancepublished at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

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    Speaking of top fives - has anyone compiled the greatest examples of a footballer being welcomed at an airport?

    Oscar is the latest contender after being mobbed by fans of Shanghai SIPG, after a £60m move from Chelsea.

    It pales in comparison to Darius Vassell's frankly bonkers welcome from fans of Turkish side Ankaragücü in 2009.

    They let off flares - FOR DARIUS VASSELL!! What a time to be alive.

    App users may have to click the link to view the video.

  3. Get Involved - goals in your top fivepublished at 11:38 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    CantonaImage source, Rex Features

    Mat Atahari: Anything scored by Cantona.. simply magnifique  

    Elliot Leaver: Peter Crouch against Man City is in with a shout.  

    Hassan Mahmood: Di Canio's screamer of a volley vs Wimbledon has to be right up there. 

  4. 'Stroking each other's artichokes'published at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    Garth Crooks
    Former Spurs striker on Final Score

    Artichoke

    "Liverpool boss Klopp and Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola spent the week stroking each other's artichokes prior to their meeting at Anfield, but neither of them can hold a candle to Antonio Conte and what he is doing with Willian and company at the moment."

    If you don't want to take a look at Garth Crooks' team of the week after reading that sentence, then you're hollow inside.

    Check it out here.

  5. Team newspublished at 11:34 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    Middlesbrough v Leicester (12:30 GMT)

    Middlesbrough make five changes from the 2-1 loss at Manchester United.

    Keeper Victor Valdes is out, so in comes Brad Guzan.

    Leicester City have also made five changes from their 1-0 win over West Ham.

    More details to follow.

  6. Get Involved - goals in your top fivepublished at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    .Image source, Rex Features

    Shaun: Monday 19th January 2004. Laurent Robert for @NUFC, external v @FulhamFC, external. Better than both @_OlivierGiroud_, external and @HenrikhMkh, external

    Julian Plant: Mikhitaryan and Giroud finishes are class, but...Cantona's chip v Sunderland.... sublime finish and celebration  

  7. The FA People's Cup is comingpublished at 11:26 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #GetInspired

    Media caption,

    The FA People's Cup is coming

    BBC Get Inspired has again teamed up with the Football Association to launch the 2017 FA People's Cup, a free knockout competition that will give the people of England the chance to play in their version of the FA Cup. 

    From Sunday League regulars to folk who have only kicked a ball in their back yard everyone can take part.

    Find out more and sign up here.

  8. Postpublished at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    And the BBC's Jeremy Vine has his own view on Giroud's finish.

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  9. get involved

    If it's not a scorpion kick, what is it?published at 11:20 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    Stephen: Let's call it a pseudo-ambipedal backheel?

    Mat: I'd say it is more a scorpion kick than Higuita's as was Mikkis. Higuita used two feet, scorpions only have one stinger..... 

    Scott Mitchell: debate is over whether Giroud's worldie was a scorpion kick. Not for me. I'm just calling it a gun. Absolute gun of a goal.

    Stephen Smith: How about the "highly-fortunate-could-have-gone-anywhere-but-nevertheless-impressive-looking"

  10. Think you know best?published at 11:17 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    Agree with Lawro's predictions? Think you can do better?

    Well if you click right here you can have a go at predicting the results for all of today's Premier League games.

  11. Lawro v Crascallpublished at 11:14 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    .

    BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson continues his run of predictions this week, starting with today's Premier League games.

    Lawro's opponent for the fixtures on 2, 3 and 4 January is comedian Arron Crascall, who has a new sketch show starting on BBC Three in the New Year.  

    Find out who the pair are backing to take three points right here.

  12. Barragan back for Boro?published at 11:09 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    Middlesbrough v Leicester (12:30 GMT)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    We'll be getting team news for our early kick-off in 20 minutes or so, but here's what to look out for on the team sheets:

    Middlesbrough defender Antonio Barragan is available after serving a one-match suspension in Saturday's defeat at Manchester United.

    Boro boss Aitor Karanka will consider making changes after 90 intense minutes at Old Trafford, with Gaston Ramirez likely to be recalled.

    Leicester forward Jamie Vardy remains out as he completes a three-match ban.

    Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez are available for the last time before the Africa Cup of Nations.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:04 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    It also captures Olivier's groomed handsomeness with more aplomb, Paul.

  14. Get Involved - goals in your top fivepublished at 11:02 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    .Image source, Rex Features

    Matt's Glory Days: How about Papiss Cisse defying the laws of physics against Chelsea?  

    Dan: Vardy against Liverpool on the volley.  

    Liam A: Philipe Albert's chip over @Pschmeichel1, external is my favourite. Yes. Phillipe Albert!  

  15. Tune inpublished at 10:58 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    FanImage source, Rex Features

    We'd love you to stick with us here, but there are several other ways for you to follow today's football on the BBC.

    The build up to Middlesbrough v Leicester will begin on BBC Radio 5 live from midday, while the Final Score pundits will react to that fixture and bring you updates on the rest of today's football on the red button from 14:30 GMT.

    5 live will also be going around the grounds from 15:00 GMT, before bring you coverage of Manchester United's trip to West Ham from 17:15 GMT.

    If it's Championship action you're after, then tune in to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 14:55 GMT for Bristol City against Reading

  16. Postpublished at 10:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    It was inevitable, but here's ESPN correspondent Joao Castelo-Branco mocking up the picture everyone was thinking of...

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  17. Should it really be called a scorpion kick?published at 10:48 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    I'm not having that this Olivier Giroud goal was a bona fide scorpion kick - Rene Higuita would be turning in his mullet. What else can we call it?

    Use #bbcfootball...

    Chris Johnson: The body shape reminds me of a one footed Tom Daley dive, so maybe a reverse unicycle kick. With tuck.

    Rupiny Eric Oliver: The "backheel-smackaroo" sounds appropriate.

  18. 'Once in a lifetime goal'published at 10:43 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    Kevin Kilbane
    Former Everton winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    There was so much debate; is it as good as the Mkhitaryan one? It was so much better because of the move, a typical Arsenal breakaway, fast flowing.

    It’s a once in a lifetime goal, once in a career goal for Olivier Giroud. Very, very special. There can’t be many goals that Arsene Wenger’s sides have scored better than that.

  19. Everyone's talking about it...published at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    Big Jan Aage is putting it out there - best Premier League goal ever?

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017

    #bbcfootball

    So, with Arsene Wenger's list in mind, would Olivier Giroud's strike be in your top five Premier League goals?

    Have you seen anything better?

    Youssef Safri's 45-yard scorcher for Norwich against Newcastle in 2005 is a given... (what do you mean you don't remember it?!)

    Can you think of any others? Use #bbcfootball to tell us all about it.

    SafriImage source, Getty Images