Pundit reveals why he's backed Middlesbrough to beat Hull City in huge relegation battle clash

Writing for Sky Sports, David Prutton has backed Boro to follow up their 2-0 win over Stoke City with another big result, opting for anorther 2-0 scoreline ahead in the crunch clash against the Tigers.

Backing up his pick, the ex-Leeds United man said: "They may not have held on for the win at Birmingham (a 3-3 draw) on Saturday, but you have to admire Hull and Grant McCann for getting a performance out of his side considering all the issues at the club.

"This would have been tough to call a week or so ago, but with Neil Warnock at the club Middlesbrough are a completely different proposition. I can't see past them taking all three points."

Boro have a decent record against Hull in their recent encounters, having won three of their last five meetings, and drawn the remaining two.

When the two sides last played each-other back in November, a Jarrod Bowen second-half double secured a point for the Tigers, who were significantly aided by Marvin Johnson's first-half sending off.

Heading into the game, Warnock was probed on out-of-contract players, and revealed: "I’ve been speaking to Neil (Bausor) about the lads who are out of contract"

"They're all committed anyhow, but what I’m going to do is catch up with them all later on in the week and obviously tell them how important it (the run-in) is."