Aitor Karanka attempts to shift the pressure onto Norwich City by claiming that they are the favourites to win this afternoon's Championship playoff final.

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has dismissed suggestions that his side are favourites to win this afternoon's Championship playoff final clash.

Boro beat Wembley opponents Norwich City in both regular league meetings, recording a combined 5-0 scoreline across the two games.

Despite this, the Smoggies still finished one point and place below City in the table, which Karanka believes offers a fairer reflection.

"I don't think we're favourites," he told Boro's official website. "I don't think the two games in the league were a good reflection.

"At the beginning of the season, they weren't in a good way and in the game when we played there [at Carrow Road] they had chances and we were practically defending for 60 minutes.

"So I don't think we're favourites, especially if you look at their squad. They were playing the last three seasons in the Premier League and we were playing to save ourselves [in the Championship], so we're not favourites. But we are going to go there [Wembley] to fight against a very good team."

Boro last played in the Premier League back in 2009, while Norwich are seeking a return to the top flight following a one-year absence.