Our landlord here in the Transfer Tavern has been delighted with what he has seen from the returning Middlesbrough, who were promoted back this season after a long stint in the Championship.

It’s going well for Aitor Karanka’s men and it could be better after the arrival of Rudy Gestede, who’ll hopefully help produce more goals alongside Alvaro Negredo.

This weekend, the Teessiders face a struggling Watford side that they really should be looking to take advantage of.

Having smashed Championship side Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 in the FA Cup last weekend, they should look to use that momentum going into this game as they face a Hornets side struggling for form.

Karanka’s men can easily push themselves up the table with the calibre of player they currently have in their side and they are only improving every week. They’ll look to try and move up the table and dispell any chance of a relegation scrap this season.

With that in mind, this Middlesbrough XI will comfortably beat Watford on Saturday…

GK: VICTOR VALDES

The former Barca goalkeeper looks back to his best in recent months and he hasn’t been able to play the last couple of games due to an injury.

Boro will be hoping he will be fit for this game as he is vital in any game he is on the field and a much stronger option that Brad Guzan between the sticks.

LB: GEORGE FRIEND

The stand-in captain whilst Grant Leadbitter had been injured has been superb for Boro it is incerasingly hard to believe that not that long ago he was plying his trade with Exeter City.

Now, he’s a star man in a solid defence in the Premier League.

CB: BEN GIBSON

The young English centre-back has been superb for his side this season and has been rightfully tipped for an England call-up.

Solid defender and even Troy Deeney will find it hard to break him down.

CB: CALLUM CHAMBERS

The versatile on-loan Arsenal defender has been brilliant for the club and the Gunners must be delighted with the progression he has made under Karanka.

He and Gibson have formed a solid partnership which is hard enough to break down for even the best premier League forwards.

RB: ANTONIO BARRAGAN

The former Valencia defender was a great purchase in the summer by Karanka and he’s looked a great fit in the side, as well as the Premier League.

Boro have a strong back line and even have solid back-ups in the likes of Fabio and Bernardo but, for us, we feel this is the way Karanka will set up his back four against Watford.

CM: ADAM FORSHAW

Came into the side having not featured for them much in the Championship but, due to an injury to Leadbitter, it meant that Karanka was forced into playing Adam Forshaw.

Since, he has been one of the standout players for Boro this season and like his teammate Gibson, fully deserves a chance with England.

CM: ADAM CLAYTON

He and Forshaw have been superb in the middle of the park for Boro and why change a working system? Especially in a game against a team also chasing a top half finish in Watford.

Clayton can help the team to build up in play from the middle of the park for Boro and is key to their system.

CM: GRANT LEADBITTER

The veteran midfielder was one of the reasons that Boro were so successful in the Championship last term, with his experience and leadership proving priceless.

Now he’s back fit he will feature heavily in the latter stages of the season for Boro, that is for sure.

LW: ADAMA TROARE

The former Barca and Villa winger has been a great addition to the squad by Aitor Karanka.

The 20-year-old’s work rate is second to none and his blistering pace can cause any team problems and especially an ageing Watford side, he will cause them all kind of issues all game!

RW: GASTON RAMIREZ

Ramirez’s goals were vital for Boro last season when he was on loan from Southampton and now he’s proving how important he is, not just with goals, but also his involvement with the way in which Boro set-up.

The Uruguayan international is key to the team and he can be a difference-maker in this tough clash for his side.

ST: ALVARO NEGREDO

Negredo, when he is scoring, can be unplayable and sides hate to come up against him.

Still, at times this season he hasn’t been at his best but Boro will need him to be in this half of the season to help them carry on their push up the table.