Middlesbrough vs Stoke City
England – Championship
Date: Friday, 20 December 2019
Kick-off at 19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Venue: Riverside Stadium.
It was only three seasons ago that Middlesbrough against Stoke is a fixture in the Premier League, but in the championship game Friday night they met on the Championship table leg as both sides looked in danger of dropping down to League One.
Jonathan Woodgate is Boro 20th in the table, just three points out of Potters were in the relegation zone, 22, but starting to show some signs of improvement under the guidance of Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.
TEAM NEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Pears; Howson, Ayala, Fry, Coulson; Wing, Clayton, Saville; Johnson, Fletcher, Tavernier
Not available: McNair (Suspended), Browne (Suspended), Shotton (Hurt), Friends (Hurt), Randolph (Hurt), Dijksteel (Hurt), Assombalonga (Injured)
doubtful:
Stoke
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Butland; Edwards, Batth, Lindsay, Ward; Allen, Cousins, Clucas; Ince, Vokes, McClean
Not available: Shawcross (Injured), Etebo (Hurt), Badou N'Diaye (Out of favor)
Doubtful: Carter-Vickers (Illness)
Middlesbrough vs Stoke City Prediction
Playing at home, Middlesbrough will be much better relief of their poor performance in the Championship this time. Especially when playing against weaker teams than themselves at an advantage.
The three points would take them further away from the relegation zone. Middlesbrough were unmoved in the table after their previous meeting with Swansea which ended in a 3-0 loss away to the former.
However, the Riverside faithful managed to remain unbeaten in four home games in the campaign. With only three losses in 11 games at home, they must show that their strongest suit home.
On the other hand, met Reading Stoke City to a goalless draw at home before packing for visiting Middlesbrough. They will visit unbeaten after two games in their schedule.
Because they do not play at home, it will not be an easy task for them at the Riverside Stadium. With just two wins in 10 away games so far, the visitors are on the backhand.
Also, Stoke City has lost four of the last five on the road trip. And will visit after two consecutive losses away from home in the campaign.
Thus, both teams perform poorly in the league. So, it is safer to go with a double chance in the game to be more than 1.5 goals in ninety minutes.
Middlesbrough vs Stoke City Betting tips
double opportunity: Middlesbrough or Draw @ 1.50 (2/5).
Over 1.5 goals @ 1.40 (2/5).
