Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted that Garry Monk will take all three points on his return to Elland Road when Middlesbrough take on Leeds United on Sunday.
Monk left Leeds for Boro in the summer after narrowly missing out on a Championship play-offs spot in his first season at the Yorkshire outfit.
His side have made up for a slow start to the season by winning their last three league games to move nine points behind leaders Wolves, while Leeds have lost six of their last seven league matches in an alarming slump from top of the table to 10th position.
Former Leeds midfielder Prutton has backed Boro to pile on the misery for Thomas Christiansen’s side with a 2-1 win at Elland Road.
Prutton told Sky Sports: “Who would have thought a month or so ago that Middlesbrough would go to Elland Road ahead of Leeds in the table? It shows you how quickly things can change in the Sky Bet Championship.
“Leeds looked superb earlier in the season but things have gone badly wrong for Thomas Christiansen and his side, and all of a sudden this game on Sunday is a big, big occasion for them.
“That being said, I think Boro are in good form and will get all three points.”
Prutton also predicted Boro summer signing Britt Assombalonga will score the game’s opening goal on Sunday.
OPINION
Middlesbrough are a team on the up as Monk starts to get his feet under the table, while Leeds are on a horror run that has led to speculation Christiansen is a couple of matches from the axe. If Prutton is right, and Boro continue their winning run with a victory at Elland Road, the pressure on the United manager will reach intense levels, especially with a trip to leaders Wolves next on their schedule. Leeds will require a marked improvement from their woeful recent performances to get even a point against 2016-17 Premier League outfit Boro.