Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Middlesbrough have effectively ruled themselves out of the playoff race with five consecutive defeats. If they don’t win this match and their postponed game, their chances of reaching the Premier League will be extinguished. Stoke City, however, will not give up three points easily, as they are battling against relegation.
Stoke City
The postponed match didn’t help Stoke City progress further in the FA Cup, as they lost to Cardiff City in a penalty shootout in the fourth round. However, February has been a relatively successful month for the team. In the Championship, they’ve secured 50% of the available points, with victories over Hull City (2:1) and Swansea City (3:1). These opponents are closer in quality to Stoke City, but at home, they have been unbeaten in four matches, recording two wins and two draws.
Middlesbrough
The current losing streak for Middlesbrough is a record for the club. They haven’t gone this long without earning points in years. The closest comparison is a run from 2023 that spanned two seasons—ending the 2022/23 season and starting the 2023/24 season—when they went 12 matches without a win, though they managed four draws. This season, however, they haven’t come close to that form.
Stoke City vs Middlesbrough Prediction
It’s also worth remembering the League Cup match from the summer when Cardiff City handed Middlesbrough a heavy defeat (5:0) at their own ground. In the league, Middlesbrough got revenge with a 2:0 win, but their current form, both physically and mentally, is far from optimal. We believe that under the experienced leadership of Mark Robins, Stoke City will score, which will allow them to avoid defeat.
