GARETH SOUTHGATE has attempted to talk up Middlesbrough's unlikely chances of overcoming runaway leaders Chelsea by insisting miracles do happen.

The Premiership champions visit the Riverside tomorrow with 41 points separating the sides.

But Southgate, whose team have won only three times at home this season - two of which were against Arsenal and Manchester United - feels the Teessiders are capable of taking one giant leap up the table.

A shock victory over Chelsea could lift fourth-bottom Boro, with just one Premiership win to their name since the end of November, level with Fulham in 14th spot.

Although that would not appear to be a fantastic placing for a team intent on a top six finish this season, it would represent a major step in the right direction after the recent crisis talk.

Talk of dressing room unrest and growing pressure on the shoulders of manager Steve McClaren have not helped the situation since last Saturday's alarming 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

But Wednesday's narrow victory over Coventry in the FA Cup fourth round replay has renewed McClaren's hope that things could take a turn for the better soon.

Southgate, knowing Chelsea's only defeat in the league this season was at Old Trafford, hopes Boro can surprise the rest of the league by inflicting a second reversal on Jose Mourinho's men.

"We have got to go into the game feeling we have nothing to lose. Nobody expects us to do anything so if we could get the points what a fantastic boost that would be for everybody," said Southgate.

"You always have a chance. People have been despondent about the position we are in but I am a big believer that everything is achievable in life.

"If we can put a man on the moon, then surely we can beat Chelsea. You have to go into every game believing you can win it."

Many believe the fact Chelsea will have one eye on next week's Champions League fixture with Barcelona could help Boro's chances but Southgate, who will lead his own team out in a UEFA Cup tie with Stuttgart on Thursday, is sure that will not be the case.

"They haven't got a weakened team. They don't tend to put weakened sides out in the league even when they have Champions League games coming up," said Southgate, who almost joined Chelsea before moving to Teesside, only for Aston Villa to price him out of a move to Stamford Bridge.

"And anyway, what is a weakened side? If you can bring in the likes of Damien Duff off the bench then that is hardly weakening.

"They have amazing quality as back-up but it is a great game for us, because we can give it a right go knowing we have absolutely nothing to lose. The crowd will be right behind us and that helps as well."

With just five points separating Boro from the relegation zone, making progress beyond Coventry on Wednesday was essential to improving the depressing feeling around the club.

With that achieved, and a date with Preston lined up in the fifth round, Southgate is keen to see an upturn in fortunes in the league.

"The cup is normally a distraction but for us there has been even more pressure," said Southgate. "We go away to a Championship side next so they are all banana skins but we held it together well against Coventry.

"The important thing about the win was we looked a bit more solid at the back. That has been our downfall throughout this season.

"Saturday's defeat was humiliating for us but the way we played against Coventry was encouraging. The manager changed the formation a little and that helped us with the extra man in midfield."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.