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Championship
May 7, 2016 at 12.30pm UK
 
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Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka: 'We are not playing for draw against Brighton'

Aitor Karanka is confident that his Middlesbrough side will be able to beat Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's winner-takes-all Championship promotion decider.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has insisted that his side will go out to win tomorrow's promotion decider against Brighton & Hove Albion, despite his side only needing a draw to go up.

Boro and Brighton are both on 88 points after 45 games of the season, but Boro, who are at home, will go up if they avoid defeat because of their superior goal difference.

The Riverside outfit have the meanest defence and best home record of anyone in the league and Karanka is certain that his side can win the match, despite Brighton being in better form.

"I don't know how to prepare for a game to draw," the Spaniard told reporters. "It's difficult to go to the pitch thinking a draw is good because my experience tells me that when you go to the pitch thinking to draw the game you are going to lose.

"So for that reason I am preparing to try to beat Brighton knowing it is going to be a tough game because more than three points is at stake."

Boro are aiming to return to the top flight after seven seasons down in the Championship.

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