Middlesbrough backed to defy odds and beat Stoke City in first game of Neil Warnock's Riverside reign

Writing for Sky Sports, pundit David Prutton has predicted a 1-0 win for Boro, at odds of 15/2.

Justifying his pick, the former Leeds United man wrote: "That was a huge late point for Stoke last Saturday. They trailed Reading for so long and it just gives them a little breathing space away from the bottom three. It's all change at Middlesbrough as Neil Warnock replaced Jonathan Woodgate."

"They were abject against Swansea and it left the owner Steve Gibson with a choice to make. He has opted with experience to save his club from the drop. I think Warnock will inspire a narrow victory for Boro."

Middlesbrough have a solid recent record against the Potters, having won their last two matches. In their last encounter, Boro came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory at the Riverside Stadium, thanks to goals courtesy of Ashley Fletcher and Lewis Wing.

With just eight matches of the season to go, Middlesbrough will be desperate to get some wins under their belts, and push away from the relegation zone over the next few weeks.

Elsewhere, Prutton also predicted wins for the likes of Barnsley, Leeds United, Derby County and Charton Athletic.