Middlesbrough meet Stoke in a top of Championship clash in the first midweek round of the 2025-26 season.
Victory or a draw will see Boro remain top for another matchweek, whilst Stoke can climb to second with a win or draw for at least 24 hours.
Team News
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-1 draw at Southampton.
Seny Dieng, Darragh Lenihan (both Achilles), Dael Fry (calf) and Riley McGree (muscle) remain ruled out.
Stoke could again be without Lewis Baker after he missed their 1-1 draw against Norwich with an unspecified injury.
Sam Gallagher is chasing a first appearance of the season subject to fitness checks.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Stoke at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday 30 September at 7:45pm BST, live on Sky Sports + in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have lost two of their last nine league meetings against Stoke (W4, D3, L2).
- Stoke have won just one of their last nine league visits to Middlesbrough (W1, D2, L6).
- Boro are seeking three consecutive victories against Stoke for the first time since their last run of three wins over the Potters between April 2019 – June 2020.
- Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last five home matches in the league (W4, D1), since they suffered a 1-0 loss to Leeds in April 2025.
- Stoke are looking to avoid suffering consecutive away defeats for the first time since March 2025.
Prediction
Sat top after a scrappy draw at Southampton where they were largely outplayed but dug in with a clinical equaliser and resilient defending, Middlesbrough now need to produce more of that grit because a win here could allow them to open a gap at the summit.
Stoke meanwhile have just one win in their last five games in all competitions but dominated Norwich in their eventual draw, although a lack of clinical final touches cost them the win amidst a sloppy defensive error for the Canaries’ goal.
This game though will be a difficult test for Mark Robins’ Potters against the league leaders so I am expecting another scrappy battle, which could well end with a point apiece.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Stoke
Result: Middlesbrough 0-0 Stoke