‘Difficult’: EFL pundit shares ‘really tough’ verdict in Middlesbrough vs Stoke City score prediction
‘Difficult’: EFL pundit shares ‘really tough’ verdict in Middlesbrough vs Stoke City score prediction
Middlesbrough are preparing to face off with Stoke City for the second time this season and will be hoping for better luck this time around.
Boro’s 2024/25 campaign got off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over Swansea City at the Riverside Stadium that ended a run of 10 years without a victory on the opening weekend of a season.
A few days later, Middlesbrough smashed Leeds United 3-0 in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
That victory in North Yorkshire was quickly forgotten, however, when Michael Carrick’s men played out their second-round fixture.
Lukas Engel was shambolic as Middlesbrough lost 5-0 versus Stoke City, crashing out of the Carabao Cup at such an early stage.
While not as bad as that result, Boro’s league form has been similarly poor in recent weeks.
Middlesbrough lost 1-0 to Sunderland last time out and have now slipped down to 12th in the Championship table.
Sam Parkin gives Middlesbrough vs Stoke City score prediction
Stoke have been similarly poor since their League Cup triumph over Boro and have even sacked their manager.
Narcis Pelach outlined Stoke’s biggest weakness after watching his new team lose 3-1 to Hull City on Friday night.
And though Boro have not been at their best of late, The Potters are still somewhat underdogs going into the game.
EFL pundit Sam Parkin, speaking on the Championship Check-in podcast seems to agree as he has now backed Middlesbrough to beat Stoke when the pair clash at the Riverside on September 27th.
He said: “Really difficult because I think in the first 45 minutes [vs Hull City] there was obviously real signs that Stoke could be onto something good.
“As it is, really tough, I’m going to go for Middlesbrough to grind out, like they did on the opening day, 1-0 Middlesbrough.”
What Middlesbrough must avoid to beat Stoke City
Though Middlesbrough are predicted to win this Championship clash, Boro fans will be well aware that their side never make it easy for themselves.
The Teessiders have had a very kind run of Championship fixtures so far this season but have still dropped points to the likes of Preston North End, Portsmouth and Derby County.
As a result, while they should win, Middlesbrough must avoid doing one thing to ensure the three points are kept at the Riverside.
Boro simply cannot let Stoke score first. Every team Carrick’s men have played this season sit very deep and limit their ability to hit them on the counter.
So, if Stoke get their noses in front, it is sure to be another cagey affair that ends in Middlesbrough once again failing to break down a team despite creating a plethora of chances.
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