Graphic: Boro and Palace combined XI

Middlesbrough host Crystal Palace this weekend.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka

Middlesbrough face Premier League rivals Crystal Palace this weekend in an intriguing match at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro have begun life back in the top-flight in superb fashion, picking up five points from a possible nine and enjoying a 2-1 derby win over Wear-Tees rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Palace, in contrast, head in to the clash having picked up just one point so far and question marks are already being raised over the club’s prospects this season following their dramatic loss of form since the start of 2016.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew

Boro will arguably head in to the game as favourites to pick up all three points, yet Palace certainly do have plenty of quality in their ranks and enough about them to claim an away victory.

With both teams strengthening well in the summer, relegation shouldn’t be on the cards for either and when combined they have the look of a side which could compete for a top eight spot.

As shown by the graphic above, here is what we believe a potential Boro-Palace combined XI could look like with both sides opting to play a very similar 4-2-3-1 formation.

Middlesbrough’s excellent defensive record means they generally dominate the back five with George Friend, Daniel Ayala and fellow Spaniard and new Boro signing Antonio Barragan making the side.

Palace, in contrast, boast a more potent attack and in Wilfried Zaha, Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend, they have an abundance of quality which will prove a stern test for Boro’s defence on Saturday.

Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke appeals to Mike Dean Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke appeals to Mike Dean