Thursday 23 February 2017 19:28, UK
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka is treating Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace like "a cup final".
Both teams are battling at the wrong end of the table with Palace second bottom and Boro just three points above them in 16th.
"It's a big game because it's a direct opponent. One thing is clear is that we are [treating] this game as a final," said Karanka.
"We are competing really well, and played really good against Everton [in the 0-0 draw] last time, and the team is improving and confident."
Karanka has been impressed with the way his team have played against some of the best side's in the Premier League, and says they must transfer that to the teams around them.
"We have played with teams that are in the top 10 of the table and, against them, we had chances to win those games," he said. "We had chances to equalise against Tottenham for example [in a 1-0 defeat].
"Now we have the chance to get more points from teams around us.
"You never know in this league. Palace spent £30m in the transfer market and they are a good team. But now we are going there to try to win the game."
Karanka insists that the team's target has remained unchanged from the beginning of the season.
"The aim was always to finish the season and play again in the Premier League," he said.
"We are in a good position and in the FA Cup quarter-final. If someone had said that three years ago…I don't think many people thought we would be."
