David Prutton has delivered his prediction for the opening game of the Sky Bet Championship season between Luton Town and Middlesbrough tonight.

After months of anticipation, the new season finally gets underway at Kenilworth Road this evening and both teams will be hoping to get off to the best possible start, with a win guaranteed to send them top of the table.

Sky Sports pundit Prutton is expecting a close game and has predicted a 1-1 draw.

"What an occasion this promises to be for Luton Town. From the depths of despair in non-league they have risen back to the kind of level where they should be competing, and Kenilworth Road will be rocking on Friday night," Prutton told Sky Sports.

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"Middlesbrough will always be among the favourites to win promotion from the Championship at the start of any season due to the size of the club and the quality of their squad, but it is a huge challenge for Jonathan Woodgate in his first managerial role. I fancy a draw here."

Jonathan Woodgate was appointed as the new head coach at the Riverside Stadium earlier this summer, after the club decided not to renew Tony Pulis' contract, after he failed to guide Middlesbrough to promotion last term.

Middlesbrough finished seventh in the Championship last season, one point outside the play-offs and missed out on a place in the top six on the final day of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Luton were promoted to the Championship last season after an outstanding campaign in League One, which saw them finish as Champions ahead of Barnsley.

Graeme Jones has already brought in seven new players this summer, as he looks to build a team that can survive in the Championship after back-to-back promotions.

The Verdict

I think Luton have recruited really well this summer and the team will be full of confidence after back-to-back promotions. I'm expecting a close game at Kenilworth Road tonight, but I think Middlesbrough might just nick it.

It's a big season ahead for Middlesbrough and the start of a new era under Woodgate. Boro will be expected to challenge for promotion this season, so it will be interesting to see how Woodgate handles the pressure in his first job as a manager.

If he can make a few new signings before the end of the transfer window, I see no reason why Boro can't challenge for promotion this season.