"Massive gulf" - Sky Sports pundit makes Plymouth Argyle, Middlesbrough FC claim ahead of clash | OneFootball

Don Goodman spoke exclusively to Football League World to preview this weekend's clash between Plymouth Argyle and Middlesbrough

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman is expecting Middlesbrough to return from Saturday's trip to Plymouth Argyle with all three points, as Michael Carrick looks to keep his side in the top-six heading into the new year.

Boro have picked up from an inconsistent start to the season to establish themselves firmly in the reckoning for a top-six finish come the end of the season. At the time of writing, Carrick's side are occupying the final play-off spot ahead of Watford by virtue of goal difference, as the top-six make-up begins to take shape.

Middlesbrough, who have won five of their last eight matches in the Championship, are only currently being outscored by second-placed Leeds United and Norwich City, with the likes of Tommy Conway, Ben Doak, Finn Azaz and Emmanuel Latte Lath all in inspired form this term.

They will be keen to keep the momentum from last weekend's slender 1-0 victory over Millwall, a contest which was essentially decided after just 10 minutes as Latte Lath scored his eighth league goal of the season. Boro may have every right to fancy their chances, then, against a side who have the league's worst goal difference by a significant margin and are just one point and a place above bottom spot after 20 matches, with relegation appearing increasingly likely for Wayne Rooney's outfit.

Plymouth will welcome Boro to Home Park off the back of four straight defeats, albeit three of those have come on their travels. Though Plymouth were recently defeated by Swansea City, their home record has been a rare source of positivity and strength, with only the Jack Army and Stoke coming to Devon and returning with maximum points.

Argyle have won at home on four occasions and generally have one of the better home records in the Championship, but they're not expected to return to winning ways against the Teessiders.

Don Goodman's Plymouth Argyle, Middlesbrough FC prediction

The Sky Sports pundit stopped short of predicting the scoreline, although he does believe the "massive gulf in quality" between the two sides will ultimately dictate the outcome and is expecting Carrick's side to run out victors in spite of Plymouth's home record.

Goodman exclusively told Football League World, via CoinPoker: "I know Plymouth Argyle are a lot better at home and have only lost two matches at Home Park this season but they're also on a run of six games without a win.

"I do see a massive gulf in quality between the two teams.

"It's a game Middlesbrough, with the calibre of their forwards, should win. They're playing against a side that have shipped 42 goals this season."

Middlesbrough FC attackers could have a field day against Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle

Middlesbrough's attackers may just be licking their lips ahead of the trip to Home Park. They're one of the most potent and threatening attacking sides in the Championship, with only Leeds working up a higher xG than their 35.6 and averaging more shots on target at the time of writing.

Though Latte Lath is essentially the side's talisman, they have had eleven different goalscorers this term and both Conway and ex-Argyle midfielder Azaz have struck home on six or more occasions.

Meanwhile, highly-rated Liverpool loanee Doak provides exhilarating pace, directness and creativity in abundance coming in on off the right-hand side, so Boro really do have threats throughout the final third and that's got to worry Plymouth.

Argyle have the Championship's worst defensive record by some distance, with no team currently conceding more than their 42 goals or xG of 39.0. At this moment in time, they're conceding 2.1 goals per match, and it's going to prove a tall order to keep the scoreline down when Boro come to town this weekend.