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Middlesbrough must believe that they can end their current slump to avoid a swift return to England's second tier, striker Rudy Gestede has said ahead of the side's Premier League showdown against Arsenal on Monday.    Middlesbrough, who are the league's lowest scorers with 22 goals, have not won a league game since mid-December and are languishing in 19th, six points adrift of safety with seven games remaining.   

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has said his players needed time to embrace a more cautious approach but the emphasis on a strong defensive unit has been key to helping the side pull clear out of relegation zone.    Allardyce, who has developed a reputation as a survival specialist having never been relegated from the top flight, took over at Palace in December following a short-lived stint with the England national team.   

Swansea City must add an element of feistiness to their game if they are to kick-start their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League at Watford on Saturday, winger Wayne Routledge has said. A five match winless run, including four losses, has seen Swansea, owners of the league's worst defensive record having conceded 67 goals so far, slip to 18th in the table, two points adrift safety with six games remaining.

Stoke City must put an end to their five-game winless streak when they host relegation-threatened Hull City in the Premier League on Saturday, defender Geoff Cameron has said. Stoke are in danger of getting dragged into the relegation battle as they sit 13th in the table, eight points above the drop zone after drawing at Manchester City and losing their next four games.

It will be a Premier League game in all but name when Newcastle United face Leeds United at St James' Park on Friday, with two of the traditional powers of northern English football seeking a return to the top flight.    Newcastle, relegated from the Premier League last season, are second in the Championship and well placed for an immediate return, while Leeds, in fifth place, will look to get through the play-offs and end their 13 years in the lower divisions.   

The 7.4 million pounds ($9.24 million) Bournemouth spent on agent fees will be worth "every penny" if the south coast club avoid relegation from the Premier League, manager Eddie Howe has said. A Football Association report revealed Bournemouth spent the seventh highest amount on agent fees from January 2016 to February 2017, ahead of the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Leicester City.

Mamelodi Sundowns are out to return to winning ways when they host SuperSport United in their Absa Premiership Tshwane derby  on Thursday  night at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.   Kick-off is at  7:30pm . Coach Pitso Mosimane is under pressure to lead his charges to a win and break their six match winless streak in all competitions. However, meeting a revived and star studded United side presents a tough challenge with Stuart Baxter's men also chasing their first title under the Englishman.