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Boro should be safe from relegation harm in the Premier League this season, according to the Racing Post’s Big Kick Off preview supplement.

The RP believe Aitor Karanka’s organisational nous and emphasis on defensive strength and counter attacking provide a solid foundation for top flight survival.

“Boro’s sound defensive work and thorough tactical planning under Karanka, a Jose Mourinho protege, could thrive in the Premier League where it will be easier to play on the counter against opponents who won’t see them as big fish,” Mark Langdon wrote in his team-by-team guide.

The RP also like Boro’s summer recruitment and the fact that there is fresh competition for places within an already successful squad.

There was also praise for Karanka’s decision to keep his defence “relatively unaltered with Antonio Barragan likely to force his way in at right-back having signed from Valencia”.

Langdon concludes that first-choice centre-backs Ben Gibson and Daniel Ayala “need to prove they are as reliable in the Premier League as they were in the Championship, but Boro appear nicely equipped to stay in the top flight”.

The bookmakers’ predictions for Boro in the same RP supplement produced some wildly contrasting views however.

Steve Freeth from bet365 tipped Boro to be relegated, as did BoyleSports’ Gerry Markey, who, along with Fred Miles from Sporting Index, reckons Karanka is a good bet for the sack race.

“I expect Middlesbrough to struggle so maybe Aitor Karanka could be in the spotlight before he expects,” Markey said.

“Aitor Karanka got close to leaving last season and a bad start by Boro might be too much for him,” Miles added.

But four other bookies’ football experts are of the opinion that Boro represent best value on the handicap.

Coral’s Nick Goff said: “Middlesbrough could win it with around 50 points, and they have a fair shot at overachieving bookies’ expectations to that extent.”

Sky Bet’s Richard Evison likes Boro and Bournemouth for the handicap bracket and added: “I think Boro will adapt well to the Premier League and their solid defence should see them stay up.”