Sep 10, 2016 at 3pm UK at ​Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough
1-2
Crystal Palace
Ayala (38')
Ramirez (60')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Benteke (17'), Zaha (47')
Ward (82'), Zaha (95')

Aitor Karanka expecting tough test against Crystal Palace

Aitor Karanka, manager of Middlesborough during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesborough at Molineux Stadium on October 24, 2015
© Getty Images
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka says that Crystal Palace's poor start to the season makes them tougher opponents on Saturday afternoon.

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has acknowledged that his team cannot afford to allow their standards to drop after a solid start to the season.

After securing promotion to the top flight, Boro have registered a win and two draws from their opening three games, but despite being favourites to add more points against a Palace side who only sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference, Karanka has warned his charges to expect a backlash from the visitors.

The 42-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It is going to be a tough game, especially when Crystal Palace are not in a good way. They have very good forwards, and they will be doing everything to add points.

"In one or two weeks, everything can change so we have to forget the past and focus on the next game."

Middlesbrough could potentially move into the top four of the table with victory on Saturday.

Aitor Karanka, manager of Middlesborough during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesborough at Molineux Stadium on October 24, 2015
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City4400114712
2Everton431072510
3Chelsea5311106410
4Liverpool5311118310
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd43017349
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs42207258
7Arsenal42118627
8Hull City42115327
9Middlesbrough41214405
10Watford411278-14
11Crystal Palace411234-14
12West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom411223-14
13Swansea CitySwansea411246-24
14Bournemouth411235-24
15Burnley411235-24
16Leicester CityLeicester411247-34
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham410359-43
18Southampton402236-32
19Sunderland401338-51
20Stoke CityStoke4013210-81