Middlesbrough return to action after the international break on Friday afternoon.
That match sees Michael Carrick take his side for a long trip down south, to face Southampton at St Mary’s.
‘Boro will be looking to extend their four-game unbeaten run from before the break.
Indeed, they will need a string of positive results if they are to break into the Championship play-off places between now and the end of the season.
Middlesbrough currently sit 10th in the table, seven points adrift of the top six with eight games of their regular season still to be played.
However, David Prutton is expecting ‘Boro’s hopes of claiming a top six spot to be dealt another setback against the Saints.
Sky Sports pundit predicts Middlesbrough vs Southampton result
For their part, Southampton will still have their eyes on promotion this season. Russell Martin’s side are currently 4th in the Championship table.
Although they are nine points adrift of a top two spot, they do have games in hand on the three teams above them.
They have also won their last two games, and Prutton expects that to continue against Middlesbrough this weekend.
Revealing his expectation for the game in his regular predictions column for Sky Sports, the former Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has backed the Saints to beat ‘Boro 3-2.
Hosts are favourites vs ‘Boro
Prutton looks to be expecting a high quality game between these two, and it would not be a surprise if we get one.
Both sides have plenty of quality, and will need to go for it if they are to keep alive their hopes of achieving their respect aims this season.
However, Southampton do have home advantage in this one, and they do arguably need it more. The table suggests they may have more hope of breaking into the automatic promotion places, then Middlesbrough do of reaching the play-offs.
That therefore, may just be enough to push them over the line to claim all three points at St Mary’s on Friday.
It is arguably also worth noting that Middlesbrough have not been all that convincing in recent outings, against teams further down the table, such as Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.
They may therefore struggles against a seemingly stronger side such as Southampton, who are in a much stronger position in the standings.
With that in mind, those connected with Middlesbrough may have to brace themselves for a tight and disappointing, if entertaining, afternoon on Friday.