Middlesbrough are welcoming Neil Warnock's former club Cardiff City to the Riverside Stadium this afternoon.

The Teessiders need to get back to winning ways after a poor performance and result against Bristol City midweek, but with the Bluebirds being in great form they're likely to face a stern test.

But how will the game pan out?

The team at Bonkers For Boro make their predictions...

Phil Spencer - Middlesbrough 1-1 Cardiff City

Confidence is going to be low in the Middlesbrough camp after the midweek clash with Bristol City.

That means that Neil Warnock's side will either have a point to prove or we'll see another limp performance.

Cardiff City will provide a stern physical test and will ensure that the defenders have a tough old afternoon with Kieffer Moore at the top of the tree.

I can't see Middlesbrough shutting out the Bluebirds for the full 90 minutes but I expect them to get something from the game so a score draw is probably about right for me.

Matthew Hunter - Middlesbrough 0-2 Cardiff City

After a poor defeat to Bristol City midweek, the Boro will be looking to bounce back straight away against in-form Cardiff.

Warnock is probably enduring his stickiest patch yet this season with only 2 wins from 7 and will be looking to get a huge 3 points against the Welsh play-off hopefuls. Undoubtedly, it will be huge for Warnock too playing a team he’s formerly managed.

Cardiff top the form league and won’t be an easy match under Mick McCarthy’s reign winning all of their last 5.

Depends which Middlesbrough side turn up tomorrow — we were excellent versus Reading but very poor against Bristol. Cardiff have quality in abundance with Welsh internationals Keiffer Moore and Harry Wilson and won’t be easy to deal with. I predict a tight game, with Cardiff edging it in the latter stages of the match

Jake Emmerson - Middlesbrough 1-1 Cardiff City

Warnock will be desperate to get take some points from his old club, and with the recent performances at Norwich and Reading, there is reason to believe that Boro can muster a result from this game.

However with the loss of Fletcher adding to the attacking absentees, I can’t see Boro scoring more than once at the Cardiff City stadium.

Cardiff’s form is obviously a big worry for Boro, however, as Bristol City showed us on Tuesday, form doesn’t count for much in this league.

I think it’ll be a repeat of the reverse fixture, 1-1. Kebano to score our goal. Keep an eye out for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing though, he may look to try and stick it to his old team!

For access to all content, forums and our prediction league register with Fans Network for free HERE

Photo: Action Images

Middlesbrough Polls