Stoke City meet Middlesbrough in a huge Sky Bet Championship clash in the race for promotion.
Victory would lift Stoke up to sixth in the table, whilst Boro can return to second with a win.
Team News
Divin Mubama is ruled out for Stoke after he suffered ligament damage in their goalless draw against QPR.
Aaron Cresswell could return following his recovery from a calf injury, whilst Steven Nzonzi is a doubt due to illness.
Viktor Johansson, Robert Bozenik (both shoulder), Junior Tchamadeu (knee), Ben Gibson (calf), Lewis Baker, Emre Tezgel (both ankle), Sam Gallagher (hamstring), Nathan Lowe (leg) remain sidelined.
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 3-2 win at West Brom.
Callum Brittain (ankle) and Riley McGree (hamstring) could return subject to late fitness checks, but the pair won’t be rushed back into the matchday squad until definitively ready for selection.
Alex Bangura, George Edmundson (both unspecified), Alfie Jones (ankle), Kaly Sene (leg), David Strelec (knock) and Darragh Lenihan (Achilles) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Stoke host Middlesbrough at BET365 Stadium on Wednesday 21 January at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Stoke have claimed seven points in their last five league meetings against Boro (W2, D1, L2).
- Middlesbrough have won one of their last five visits to Stoke (W1, D2, L2).
- Boro are looking to record consecutive away wins against Stoke for the first time since January 1955 – March 1956.
- 21 of Stoke’s 41 points this season have been scored at home.
- Samuel Silvera has produced two goals and one assist in Middlesbrough’s last two league games (W2).
Prediction
Unbeaten in 2026 amidst a heavy injury crisis, Stoke have done well to grind out three wins and a draw across all competitions but this is going to be a tough test against a strong attack-minded Middlesbrough but they can take confidence from the fact that they haven’t conceded this calendar year yet.
Boro meanwhile certainly did what I expected in terms of allowing West Brom to dominate and clinically hit them, but Kim Hellberg should be concerned at their late-game management at 2-0 up because they should of protected that lead yet were lucky to get the win in the end.
This clash is therefore set up to be a significant moment in the promotion race because if Stoke produce another clinical display then they’re back in the mix, but if Boro win then the Potters are looking at play-offs at best so this might be a more nervy game than some think.
Boro though do seem to have the stronger firepower which could well make the difference but it won’t be easy to break down Stoke’s resilient defence.
Prediction: Stoke 0-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Stoke 1-2 Middlesbrough
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