Stoke City – Middlesbrough

In Stoke-on-Trent, the opponents will score at least two goals

One of the most interesting fixtures of the current Championship round will take place in Stoke-on-Trent. The local club spent many seasons in the Premier League over the past decade, year after year being a solid mid-table side there. This fully satisfied the club's leadership. After relegation to the Championship, the Potters found themselves in the same status in the second-tier of English football, and this leadership at Stoke City is no longer satisfied with that, something that is evident from the frequency of head coach changes. In the current season the team is managed by Mark Robins, who before that devoted seven years to Coventry City. Seventh place in the table gives reason to believe that the work of the new coach justifies the trust placed in him. Middlesbrough was also a stable Premier League mid-table side in its time, but the time away from that status is longer for the club than for Stoke City. In recent years 'Boro' has been aiming to contend for promotion. So far the team's ceiling has been a final third place in the Championship with a playoff exit. Now Middlesbrough is aiming for direct promotion to the Premier League, largely competing for it with Ipswich Town. In November the club changed its coach following Rob Edwards's departure to Wolverhampton. Kim Hellberg has so far kept the club in its previous positions, but Ipswich Town have set such a pace that Middlesbrough, their direct rival in Stoke-on-Trent, is obliged to go for three points. Bookmakers have made the visitors the favourites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 2.37 on their victory. In the first round Stoke City and Middlesbrough drew 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium. One might wonder what to expect in terms of goals from their second meeting in the championship? However, up to that match the rivals had played eight consecutive, quite productive matches since 2021, in which they scored at least two goals between them. In addition, a draw would not satisfy either side. 'Boro' occupy second place in the table by points earned, but by points dropped they trail Ipswich Town. In turn, Stoke City are two points behind the playoff zone. Middlesbrough recently found their attacking form and began scoring many goals after a long goalless spell. Let's place a bet that there will be at least two goals scored in the match.