Middlesbrough are a side who look set to be safe and try to push up the league – and our punters here at the Transfer Tavern are well aware of their potential!

Boro who have had a mixed batch of results so far this season find themselves sat in 16th place in the Premier League, just above to drop zone.

Despite this, our Middlesbrough supporting punters here at he Transfer Tavern and landlord a like are still very optimistic they have enough in their locker to remain in the top division.

After fighting to return to the league it would be catastrophic for the club to go back to the Championship.

Boro face Walter Mazzari’s Watford at the Riverside Stadium in the early kick-off on Sunday, and our landlord has been thinking of the best XI that will beat the Hornets.

Here’s the Boro XI our landlord thinks will brush aside Watford on Sunday….

GK: Victor Valdes

The former United and Barca keeper has not by any means looked at his best so far this season – but he is still the no.1 ahead of an even more unreliable goalkeeper in Brad Guzan.

The former Spanish International still has the edge and a good performance from him will help Boro to all 3 points.

LB: George Friend

The Middlesbrough captain has been fairly decent at the back and hasn’t looked out of place so far in his first season as a Premier League player.

The 28-year-old has been a great leader and will for sure be vital at the back at stopping the likes of Pereyra and Success of Watford, should they play.

CB: Calum Chambers

On-loan from Arsenal to try and play as much first team football as possible before trying to break back into the first team at the Gunners – the 21-year-old has had his critics in his time at Arsenal but with his pace and knowledge of the game, he will prove a handful for Deeney and Ighalo against Watford this Saturday.

CB: Ben Gibson

The Boro defender is playing his first season in the top flight and at still only 23-years-old looks set for a bright future.

A very commanding defender who likes to shout and make his team mates aware of his presence.

A key man in the heart of a Boro defence that needs to stop leaking silly goals.

RB: Antonio Barragan

The Spanish defender arrived from Valencia where he was a regular and it’s easy to see why that was the case.

The 29-year-old full-back has been a solid performer thus far for Boro and his experience of facing pacey player sin La Liga, could be key against a Watford side with a number of fast pace attacking players.

CM: Marten de Roon

The Dutchman took his time to settle in England after arriving from Serie A side Atalanta BC -but now the 25-year-old looks to be more settled, it’s easy to see what Aitor Karanka saw in the lad!

Our landlord likes the way he can read a pass and be a solid player before the defensive four, giving them the support needed.

CM: Adam Forshaw

The Central-midfielder may not have even been first choice if it wasn’t for an injury to experienced midfielder Grant Leadbitter.

However the 25-year-old has been the stand out player so far for his club, his reading of the game and his eagerness to pick out a pass has won the player many plaudits.

LM: Cristhian Stuani

The experienced Uruguyan midfielder scored an absolute beauty against Stoke City early on in the season and hasn’t looked back since.

Finding himself a regular since – the International midfielder has a great attacking prowess and can use that and essentially play alongside the main striker; it also helps that he knows where the goal is and isn’t afraid to take players on and take a shot.

CAM: Gaston Ramirez

Having not impressed in the Premier League with Southampton and Hull City, many in the Tavern feared his career would go downhill, but it wasn’t to be the case!

After a successful loan spell at Boro last season from the Saints, he was signed on a free transfer and what a bargain.

He may not be getting as many goals as he had previously in the Championship but the Uruguayan International holds the ball up well and is a key player in the attacking line, and it is hard to name a Boro side without him in it.

ST: Álvaro Negredo

His last spell in the Premier League didn’t really go to plan at Mancheser City and so he headed back to Spain with Valencia, where again he was a little underwhelming.

Karanka however felt he could get the best out of him again and decided to bring the 31-year-old to Boro on a season long loan, and after his first couple of games, it looked like he’d got it right after scoring twice in as many games.

He’s since struggled to find the net, but we feel that could all change at the hands of Watford this Sunday.

Boro fans… Let us know your thoughts on this team and what you make of your season so far, in the comment section below!