Middlesbrough will be looking to play a good role in the promotion battle

Middlesbrough are one of the teams that have done very well in the English Championship.

The home side consequently have big goals. The Middlesbrough vs Stoke prediction from the bookmakers also suggests that the hosts are likely to be the favourites in this match.

Middlesbrough are namely fighting for promotion and have picked up some good results in recent weeks. Stability has been the key to success for some time now. Playing has also been getting better of late.

The only shortcoming for the home side is their defence, which is allowing a bit too much. Offensively, Middlesbrough can often clean that up, though, which is why our Middlesbrough vs. Stoke tip is that the home side will win the game.

Middlesbrough – Statistics & current form

Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick are playing a very good season. The team is fighting for promotion and is currently in third place in the Championship. The first two teams in the table go straight up and at least second place is still within reach with a four point gap. Burnley will gain promotion directly, behind them it will be exciting.

A big plus for Middlesbrough is that they play very stable and can rely on an absolute goal scorer. Chuba Akpom is already on 22 goals, playing an outstanding season. He is the target player of this team, likes to play as a hanging top sometimes.

On Saturday, Boro won 3:1 at Swansea City and showed what the team is capable of. An unpleasant opponent was played smartly, and offensively they struck at the right moments. Middlesbrough have now won four of their last five games in the Championship, which is a very good result. But Middlesbrough must maintain this stability until the end of the season, otherwise it will be a nail-biter at the end.

Middlesbrough very stable in front of home crowd

The season as a whole has been a bit of a rollercoaster, there have always been moments for the home side when things haven’t gone particularly well. The home games were the exception, with ten wins in 17 games and only two losses. In addition, Carrick’s team conceded only 13 goals at home, while they conceded 28 away from home.

The goals conceded are in any case one of the factors that cast a little doubt on the promotion option. 41 goals conceded in 36 games is not ideal. However, the 64 own goals conceal this a little. This also leads to the realisation that there is definitely a lot of spectacle when Boro play. There have already been 105 goals in 36 league games.

In any case, there is much to suggest that it will be an entertaining game. If the hosts can make use of their advantages, then there is probably not much standing in the way of a win. Therefore, before the match Middlesbrough vs. Stoke, our prediction is that the home side will take the three points.

Last games of Middlesbrough:

Championship
11/03/2023 – Swansea 1 – 3 Middlesboro

04/03/2023 – Middlesboro 5 – 0 Reading

25/02/2023 – West Bromwich 2 – 0 Middlesboro

18/02/2023 – Middlesboro 3 – 1 Queens Park Rangers

16/02/2023 – Sheffield United 1 – 3 Middlesboro

Stoke – Statistics & current form

Once upon a time in the Premier League, Stoke City were seen as emblematic of a team that is very uncomfortable to play against and will put a lot on the line to stay up in the end. But the visitors, who start the matchday in 14th place, are a long way from the Premier League. And the Potters are also too seldom in the league in terms of footballing highlights.

Stoke is the typical midfield team in the Championship. Sometimes the team plays classic kick and rush, sometimes solid counter-attacking football. Coach Alex Neil’s team is a long way from consistency and continuity and the big stars in the squad are missing, even by Championship standards.

The team’s top scorer is Tyrese Campbell, who has eight goals. Offensively, there is sometimes a lack of relief, which results in some games being lost. There have been 16 defeats so far this season, only five teams in the Championship have suffered more defeats.

Stoke can certainly be a danger away from home

On a positive note, Stoke City have not performed too badly away from home. They have won seven of their 18 games, which is one more than they have won at home. Moreover, the form is not that bad, the Potters have only lost two of the last six league games. Most recently, there was even a 5:1 at Sunderland and a 3:2 against Blackburn, so six points from two games.

In general, however, the team plays too rarely to zero, the defence is not outstanding with 44 goals conceded. In the last four league games, there was always a goal conceded, the “0” stood ten times in the entire season in the Championship, here other teams are clearly better on the road. After all, they are already 14 points away from the first relegation place, but also eleven away from the first play-off place.

The hosts are very offensive and score regularly, both teams have their little problems defensively. Therefore, before the match Middlesbrough vs. Stoke, our value tip is that more than 2.5 goals will be scored.

Last games of Stoke:

Championship
11/03/2023 – Stoke 3 – 2 Blackburn

04/03/2023 – Sunderland 1 – 5 Stoke

FA Cup
01/03/2023 – Stoke 0 – 1 Brighton

Championship
25/02/2023 – Stoke 0 – 1 Millwall

22/02/2023 – Swansea 1 – 3 Stoke

Middlesbrough – Stoke Direct comparison / H2H record

In 103 duels these two teams have faced each other directly. So far, Middlesbrough have won 43 of those matches, while Stoke have emerged victorious in 36 duels. The first leg at Stoke ended 2-2, with Boro taking four points from the two games in pre-season.

Middlesbrough – Stoke tip

Middlesbrough are looking to gain promotion to the Premier League and simply must beat teams like Stoke on the way there. So this game is a must-win for the home side, who are clear favourites.

Opponents Stoke, however, can certainly be unpleasant at times. Nevertheless, there should be a lot to be said for Boro, which is why our tip before the match between Middlesbrough and Stoke is that the hosts will win the game.