Middlesbrough play host to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon looking to record a seventh successive victory in the Championship.

Meanwhile, the visitors to the Riverside Stadium have also turned things around since the international break, claiming two wins in a row to move them up to 17th place in the standings.

Match preview

In the middle of September, there was a perception that Michael Carrick had lost all momentum as Middlesbrough boss, with the club's additions in the summer failing to make a positive impact.

Fast-forward five or so weeks and Boro are the form team in the division, following a seven-game period without success with a six-match winning streak.

The level of the turnaround has been remarkable, with Middlesbrough scoring at least two goals in five of those six matches and also keeping three clean sheets.

They had to work for each of their two triumphs since the international break, with an 88th-minute goal proving decisive against Birmingham City and a last-minute goal being required to end the challenge of Norwich City.

Nevertheless, Carrick will take comfort from his players showing such qualities, as his Boro side are now within two points of third position and alongside leaders Leicester City as the form team in the division.

Stoke boss Alex Neil was almost at the point of no return with regards to keeping his job, a consequence of six defeats in eight games.

Since the international break, though, the Potters have battled their way to excellent victories over Sunderland and Leeds United at the bet365 Stadium.

Instead of looking like relegation candidates, Stoke are now just four points adrift of the top six, and a win on Saturday would ease the pressure on Neil in the long term rather than just the short.

That said, there are small margins of error for the Scot, who is aware that he must deliver a campaign where Stoke are pushing for a return to the Premier League rather than mid-table obscurity being deemed acceptable.

Just four points have been collected from their six matches on their travels in the second tier, with that triumph over Bristol City coming after they had been 2-0 down at Ashton Gate.

Team News

Barring any injury issues, Carrick will almost certainly select much of the same Middlesbrough XI for this contest.

If he shows a preference for fresh legs, Samuel Silvera and Morgan Rogers are alternatives in the final third.

One change will be made with Hayden Hackney serving a one-match ban, and that likely to result in Dan Barlaser coming into the team.

While minimal changes are expected to be made by Neil, he may give consideration to rotating several of his Stoke players given the size of the task at hand.

Lynden Gooch and Josh Laurent could bring more experience to the side, while Wesley may get the nod over Ryan Mmaee in attack.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Van den Berg, Fry, McNair, Engel; Howson, Barlaser; Jones, Crooks, Greenwood; Coburn

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Travers; Hoever, McNally, Rose, Thompson; Burger, Pearson; Leris, Johnson, Vidigal; Mmaee

We say: Middlesbrough 2-0 Stoke City

While Stoke deserve credit for their last two victories, facing the in-form team in the division on away territory is a different level of task. We expect Boro to continue on their way, recording another win that could see them move into the top six.


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