On Friday, at 15:00, Middlesbrough receives Stoke City’s visit in the 43rd round of the English 2nd Championship. It is a good opportunity for the hosts to take a step forward in front of a band that has not been found at all in the current season.
Tony Pulis, Boro’s current manager and former coach at Stoke, has not lost against the “potters” of 14 straight duels, in which he has won seven wins and seven draws. Interestingly, 4 of the last 5 successes scored had the same score, 1-0, and Friday night we are expecting a match in which both bands will work hard for the scored goals. It is known that Middlesbrough puts great emphasis on the defensive, and Stoke did not show a great exuberance in attack, along the campaign.
In the past, Sam Vokes saved Stoke in modest Rotherham (2-2), in which “the pots” hardly got a draw. It was the third draw in the last five stages for Stoke, a team hoping to return to the first league this summer, but who failed in his goal. With only one success in the last 7 stages (but with only one defeat), Stoke has a small psychological advantage over Middlesbrough. Stoke City has not lost to Riverside rivals four direct duels, more precisely since 2008!
However, Friday’s game is an excellent opportunity for Middlesbrough to continue the series started in April, when the white-reds passed Bolton (2-0) and Hull (1-0). The top scorer Britt Asssombalonga seems to have regained his inspiration in front of the gate, and Middlesbrough will dominate the duel on his own ground in front of an adversary who has difficulty facing the “grandees”. The hosts are ranked 7th in Championship (44-36 golaveraj) and have one point to recover to play-off places, which is a huge motivation.
Stoke is only 16th (goal 41-47) and plays without a goal in the final stages, being already saved from relegation. It is not excluded to see experiments in Stoke’s band, which will attack the promotion in the coming season. For the moment, however, the quality and motivation are on Middlesbrough’s side, which has a very good victory. Even if statistics are not necessarily on the side of the favorites, this is a good chance to witness a victory of the remaining team with a goal in sight.
PREDICTION: Middlesbrough to win @ 1,85
