Stoke City host struggling Middlesbrough in the Championship in midweek as they look to bounce back from the weekend defeats.
Stoke City have had a very poor season having sacked two bosses already this season. SCFC started under Steven Schumacher’s lead but got rid of him for Narcis Pelach, only for the Spaniard to prove a failure.
The Potters current boss Mark Robins has began steadying the ship but Stoke are still very much in the relegation battle. They are currently 19th and five points above the drop zone.
Last time out, Stoke City were beaten 4-2 away to Norwich City in what was a particularly poor showing by SCFC.
As for Middlesbrough, they are in horrific form at the minute. Boro have fallen right off the pace of the play-off contenders having lost their last five games.
Michael Carrick had been touted as the next boss to lose his job due to said form but he has since been backed by the board.
Boro lost 2-1 in their last game against fellow play-off hopefuls Bristol City.
They had led for the majority of the game until two late George Earthy goals turned the game around.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game.
Charlie Hodgson
“I think there’s a valid argument that this is a must-win game for both sides. Stoke City will see that as an option considering their opponent’s recent form.
“However, the same will be said from Middlesbrough. They have to stop the rot they are on if they hope to finish in the top six. This will be a game earmarked as a potential three points.
“With that said I think this will be an entertaining draw. Both clubs are poor defensively but do have quality going forward and that will show on Tuesday night.”
James Ray
“Both Stoke City and Middlesbrough will be reeling off the back of their weekend defeats but there’s no hiding it’s Boro who have all the pressure on them here.
“That’s not to say there’s not a lot at stake for the Potters, but the Teesside outfit are seriously underachieving and if they’re going to salvage anything from this season, things have got to change right now. They have to find wins, starting here in Staffordshire.
“SCFC’s form is patchy and hasn’t been strong enough to put some real distance between themselves and the bottom three, but I think they’ll be fine and against a Middlesbrough side lacking confidence, Robins’ men are good value for at least a point here.
“I’ll go for a 1-1 draw, a result that the hosts will likelier be happier with.”
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