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Championship | Gameweek 22
Dec 11, 2021 at 3pm UK
bet365 Stadium
ML

Stoke
0 - 0
Middlesbrough


Batth (35'), Smith (72')
FT

Dijksteel (10')

Preview: Stoke City vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Stoke City vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Stoke City and Middlesbrough, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Stoke City head into Saturday's Championship fixture with Middlesbrough looking for the victory which will keep them in the playoff places.

However, Boro, who are back in the top 10 after successive wins, travel to the bet365 Stadium sitting just five points adrift of their hosts.


Match preview

Michael O'Neill will remain perplexed with Stoke's inconsistency throughout this season, the Potters mixing up promising spells of form with losing streaks.

Nevertheless, they still sit in sixth position after 21 games, a scenario which would have been regarded as acceptable at the beginning of August.

After successive 1-0 defeats against Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers, Stoke responded with a brilliant 2-0 victory at Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

Not only did Stoke halt QPR's run of scoring in 31 Championship fixtures in a row, Tyrese Campbell netted his second strike since returning from a serious knee injury.

Although O'Neill will not be getting carried away, the Northern Irishman knows that a favourable schedule awaits his team, and they have an opportunity to make progress towards the faltering top two.

Middlesbrough were accused of faltering either side of Neil Warnock being sacked and Chris Wilder being named as his replacement at the Riverside Stadium.

However, back-to-back triumphs over Huddersfield Town and Swansea City have catapulted Boro back into contention for the top six ahead of making the trip to one of their rivals for that standing.

Middlesbrough are without a goal in the second half for seven outings, keeping things tight at the back has ensured that there remains reason for optimism among their fanbase.

While they visit Staffordshire having prevailed in just three of their 10 away games this season, seven points have being collected from their latest quartet of fixtures on the road.

Stoke City Championship form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W

Middlesbrough Championship form:
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W

Team News

Stoke are expected to be without Romaine Sawyers after the midfielder sustained a quad injury during the win at QPR.

Sam Clucas is the natural replacement in the centre of the pitch, and that could prove to be the only change from the team which started at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Steven Fletcher and Campbell should retain their spots in attack, keeping Jacob Brown on the substitutes' bench.

Wilder has been boosted by the return of several players from injury, giving him more food for thought ahead of this contest.

However, the first XI should remain the same with the likes of Dael Fry and Martin Payero only being selected among the replacements.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Davies; Wilmot, Batth, Fox; Smith, Sawyers, Allen, Vrancic, Tymon; Fletcher, Campbell

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Daniels; Djiksteel, Bamba, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Tavernier, Bola; Watmore, Sporar


We say: Stoke City 2-1 Middlesbrough

While Stoke will be wary of letting Middlesbrough back into the promotion race, there is also an opportunity to establish further distance between themselves and the chasing pack. With that in mind, we are backing the Potters to show an extra cutting edge in the final third to claim a hard-fought victory.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data




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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720
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