Who can be the closest with their prediction for how the drama will unfold at the Riverside on Saturday?
I'm going for a cagey opening as both sides feel each other out. Boro are keen to not over-commit going forward, whilst Albion do not want to concede the goal that will leave us with Mission: Impossible.
We'll become the dominant side from around 25 minutes, but other than a few half-chances, we don't look like scoring. The first half ends with neither 'keeper having made a save of note.
The Albion come out absolutely flying after the break and it looks as if it could be just a matter of time before we get the vital breakthrough. Boro ride that particular storm as the game enters the final quarter.
From a passage of play that sees Boro threaten, the Albion break forward at lightning speed and after the chance appears to be lost, Knockaert picks the ball up and conjures up some magic. It's 1-0 to the Albion with a long looking 20+ minutes ahead. Sky cameras catch Steve Gibson mouthing "Oh, f*ck" and the watching world wonder if he really does have a financial Plan B to fall back on should Boro fail to go up.
Boro press, patiently at first, and then with hints of desperation. Albion look to counter and one chance is taken. I don't know who scores it as I can no longer look by this stage. Either that or I have taken one of my traditional 'comfort breaks' that so often seem to coincide with an Albion goal.
The Albion fall back as Boro throw the kitchen sink at us. Karanka throws caution to the wind and plays two strikers at the same time. The pressure tells and David Nugent nets a trademark 94th minute goal. It proves to be the last kick of the match and the Albion have secured promotion.
As a post-script Karanka, who suffers yet more abuse from the Boro faithful, quits before the play-off first leg. Without him holding the Championship Galacticos back, Boro romp the play-offs to join the Albion in the Premier League.
I'm going for a cagey opening as both sides feel each other out. Boro are keen to not over-commit going forward, whilst Albion do not want to concede the goal that will leave us with Mission: Impossible.
We'll become the dominant side from around 25 minutes, but other than a few half-chances, we don't look like scoring. The first half ends with neither 'keeper having made a save of note.
The Albion come out absolutely flying after the break and it looks as if it could be just a matter of time before we get the vital breakthrough. Boro ride that particular storm as the game enters the final quarter.
From a passage of play that sees Boro threaten, the Albion break forward at lightning speed and after the chance appears to be lost, Knockaert picks the ball up and conjures up some magic. It's 1-0 to the Albion with a long looking 20+ minutes ahead. Sky cameras catch Steve Gibson mouthing "Oh, f*ck" and the watching world wonder if he really does have a financial Plan B to fall back on should Boro fail to go up.
Boro press, patiently at first, and then with hints of desperation. Albion look to counter and one chance is taken. I don't know who scores it as I can no longer look by this stage. Either that or I have taken one of my traditional 'comfort breaks' that so often seem to coincide with an Albion goal.
The Albion fall back as Boro throw the kitchen sink at us. Karanka throws caution to the wind and plays two strikers at the same time. The pressure tells and David Nugent nets a trademark 94th minute goal. It proves to be the last kick of the match and the Albion have secured promotion.
As a post-script Karanka, who suffers yet more abuse from the Boro faithful, quits before the play-off first leg. Without him holding the Championship Galacticos back, Boro romp the play-offs to join the Albion in the Premier League.
