The goal of any promoted side is simple: avoid relegation and secure a second consecutive season in the top flight, allowing the club to further establish itself at the Premier League level. Collecting a slice of the television revenue doesnt hurt either.With both Middlesbrough and Hull City shooting to achieve that same goal, Monday nights clash between the sides at the Riverside Stadium is massive.Middlesbrough (2-6-5) entered the weekend in 15th place and struggling a bit as they find themselves winless in their last three league matches and 10 of 11. The clubs wins came against Sunderland and Bournemouth, and Mondays clash represents an opportunity to better their own standing while simultaneously pushing a relegation rival further into the abyss.Boros most complete performance of the season came in an Oct. 29 2-0 victory over Bournemouth their first home win of the campaign, but its been a struggle to come up with another complete performance.Last weeks effort against Leicester City held some positives as the club took the early lead after 13 minutes thanks to a goal from Alvaro Negredo, and again seized the lead on 71 minutes through Negredo, but Islam Slimanis stoppage-time penalty forced the clubs to share the spoils.Manager Aitor Karanka was proud of his sides spirited performance.We showed again we are a really good side and how well we can play, against Leicester who won the league last season, he said. We should have won the game and I think we were the better team. But football can be unfair and today we didnt get the three points we deserved.But as they move on from last week and focus on Mondays tilt, midfielder Marten de Roon believes his side has shown marked improvement and its only a matter of time before the results come.Honestly, I think in the last few weeks weve been improving as a team in every single game, the midfielder said. I think we were a bit unlucky against Chelsea with the 1-0 defeat and against Leicester when we shouldve taken three points.But it gives us confidence that were playing better and showing that we can compete with anybody then finally the points will come.The Dutchman also realises the significance of this match.Hull is a big match, he added. Monday is a massive opportunity for us to show the people around us that were above them.Hull City (3-2-8) have a much tougher road ahead as the Tigers find themselves in the relegation zone with just 11 points from their 13 matches. They have just one victory, a 2-1 result over Southampton on Nov. 6, in their last 11 league matches and will need to string a few wins together if they hope to pull themselves out of the drop zone.The win over Southampton saw Michael Dawson and Robert Snodgrass strike in a span of two minutes, but since that match they looked listless in a 3-0 loss to Sunderland, and out of ideas in the final third of last weeks 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.On the positive side, the club will bring some positive momentum into Mondays clash after knocking off Newcastle United in midweek to secure a spot in the EFL Cup semifinals against Manchester United.Even with the success in the Cup, midfielder Tom Huddlestone realises the focus must now shift to picking up points in the Premier League.We need to be picking up a lot more points in the league, said Huddlestone. Weve been a bit hit and miss recently, so we need to find a consistency and start putting our chances away.We also need to get back to being solid in defence like we were at the start of the season. Hopefully what weve done in the cup will be a boost to us in the league, which is where we need to knuckle down. Its over a month until the first leg of the semi-final, so its about playing well in the league now.Middlesbrough have had a few positive results against big teams recently. We saw their quality in the Championship last season and theyve only added to that since. But well go there and try and stamp our authority on the game.The sides split both meetings in the Championship last season with Boro collecting a 1-0 victory courtesy of a late strike from David Nugent in March. Hull claimed a 3-0 result at the KCOM Stadium in November 2015. Luke Shaw Jersey . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Timothy Fosu-Mensah Jersey . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. http://www.jerseymanchesterunitedsoccer.com/womens-blank-manchester-united-jersey/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Nemanja Matic Jersey . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. Jesse Lingard Manchester United Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. The next two weeks are going to make fantasy football players earn their spots in the standings, with six teams on byes each of the next two weeks.Fantasy owners will have to plan very well to fill in for many of their idle starters, and some injuries wont make things any easier.Before you start stressing out, though, we are here to help you navigate through the daunting seas of Week 8. If you are well prepared, the bye storm wont take your team down and it will eventually pass.QB HELPFantasy owners looking for QB help this week seem to be taking to Jets passer Ryan Fitzpatrick as a friendly streaming option -- a choice for this week, not as someone you would regularly play. Clevelands 29th-ranked pass defense has allowed an NFL-high 18 TD tosses. But the Browns also have the AFCs worst run defense, and the Jets may elect to ride Matt Forte heavily as well. Fitzpatricks struggles have come this year when he has been asked to carry the offense. Look for the Jets to establish the ground game to open up things for Fitzpatrick. He doesnt have tremendous upside this week, but can provide solid numbers if you need a plug-in. Just dont start him over a more regularly reliable QB. Josh McCown returns for Cleveland, and is a viable one week play too -- the Jets pass defense ranks 26th in the league.WILSON EXPECTATIONSRussell Wilson has certainly not looked like himself recently, as health concerns have prevented him from being his usual nimble self. A matchup with the Saints 30th ranked pass defense would seem to be a must-start matchup for Wilson in most instances, but right now, he is no sure thing as an easier target with mediocre blocking. Still, you have to use him because his playmakers can ensure he at least has a decent outing. Doug Baldwin is a must start and Jimmy Graham is facing his former team. One guy you may want to avoid as a bye week fill-in, however, is Tyler Lockett. Regardless of matchup, he does not look like his usual self, as a knee issue has seemingly robbed him of some of his burst and explosion. A recent thigh problem wont help his matters, either.RB HELPDont hesitate to turn to Minnesota running back Matt Asiata. He is the Vikings clear TD runner of choice in short yardage situations, and Chicago has allowed 10 rushing scores. The situations in Detroit and Washington also bear heavy watching from those looking for running back fill-ins. Theo Riddick may return from an ankle injury for the Lions and should immediately be plugged back into point-per-reception lineups. Rookie Dwayne Washington may get some work between the tackles and TD opportunities. Robert Kelley may take over as the starter for the hurting and fumble-prone Matt Jones, and Chris Thompson could see a healthy amount of touches for PPR players as the teams clear receiver of choice out of the backfield.BRYANT BACKDez Bryant is expected to return from aa knee injury this week against the Eagles.dddddddddddd. Philadelphia has the third-best pass defense in the NFC, but you have to get Bryant back into your lineup, even if your expectations may be somewhat tempered. Dak Prescott showed a real willingness to get him the ball in scoring and contested situations in the preseason and early in the regular season. His return, however, does not mean you should expect too much less from Cole Beasley, as Prescott has developed a real affinity for him as a safer target on key passing downs.TAMPA BAY VS. OAKLANDThe Tampa Bay offense becomes a very interesting source fantasy production against the Raiders, who have the leagues worst pass defense and the fifth-worst run defense. Of course, Jacquizz Rodgers is a definite start, but with his 5-6, 205 pound frame, the Buccaneers should not continue to use him as a workhorse and you may see the more bulky Peyton Barber get some work, too. Barber is worth consideration as a desperation play. Russell Shepard caught five passes for 77 yards and a TD last week and is a nifty fill-in at WR this week. TE Cameron Brate always has TD potential and Jameis Winston is an obvious QB streamer.TY ELIGIBILITYIf you play in an ESPN league, you should note that Ty Montgomery is now eligible at running back, giving you some extra flexibility, especially when you need to cover byes. The Packers play the Falcons, who have the worst pass defense in the NFC. This is an opportunity for Jordy Nelson to at least get back into the end zone. Davante Adams enjoyed a career outing last week against Chicago, and while he is unreliable as a third WR in the Green Bay passing game, you have to lock him in this week. Keep a watch on running backs Don Jackson and Knile Davis to see if either player emerges.HOPE FOR HOUSTON?While Houston wideouts have been frustrating, you can start DeAndre Hopkins with some confidence and also get big-play threat Will Fuller back into your lineup. The Lions have the leagues 23rd-ranked pass defense and are tied with the Browns with an NFL-high 18 TD passes allowed. The Texans are starting to make a real effort to get Hopkins more involved.REVENGE MATCHUPSSome Fantasy analysts buy into the occasional revenge game angle when the player is good and other surrounding factors seem to contribute to the script. Seattles Graham is a key example as the Saints traded him away, but youre not going to bench him anyway. Look for New Englands Chris Hogan to enjoy his return to Buffalo as part of the powerful New England offense. Tom Brady will want to get the ex-Bill the ball in some key situations, especially for a TD opportunity or two.---This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com ' ' '