Stoke vs Middlesbrough: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Relegation-threatened Stoke City gear up to host Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon as they look to avoid a dreaded slip into England’s third-tier.
How to Watch Stoke vs Middlesbrough in the UK:
The match will be available for streaming through both clubs’ subscription services as well as the EFL’s iFollow platform.
Recent Form:
Stoke have endured a challenging season and find themselves in the relegation zone (22nd) on goal difference. With just three wins from 15 games since the departure of former manager Alex Neil in December, there remains uncertainty surrounding new manager Steven Schumacher's ability to turn things around. Fans are growing anxious with their club having just 12 games left to secure their Championship status.
The Potters' home advantage could play a crucial role. They have lost just once in their last seven home games against Middlesbrough, dating back to their encounters in the Premier League almost seven years ago. Stoke are also unbeaten in their last three matches against Boro.
Middlesbrough, led by boss Michael Carrick, have had a lackluster season and languish in mid-table with an 11-point gap from the play-off spots and a nine-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Carrick has failed to build on the club’s impressive performance last season, where they finished fourth and narrowly missed out on promotion via the play-offs. With little at stake for the visitors, Middlesbrough may present an opportunity for Stoke to secure three crucial points.
Front foot, aggression and giving everything we've got.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 29, 2024
The gaffer previews our forthcoming battle with Boro.
Betting Odds:
The away side enter as slight favourites. BetFred offer Boro at 13/8 with an implied probability of 38%.
Every point counts for Stoke between now and the end of the season, with Schumacher's side coming in at 7/4 with BetFair, carrying an implied probability of 36.36%.
The draw enters at 5/2 with QuinnBet (implied probability of 28.57%).
Prediction:
Both teams have struggled to find the back of the net regularly, with Middlesbrough’s top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath managing only seven goals all season. Stoke, desperate for points, might opt for a cautious approach. OddsNow deem a low-scoring draw a likely outcome.
OddsNow's Pick: Stoke 1-1 Middlesbrough (11-2 @ BetGoodwin)