Stoke vs Middlesbrough preview: second hosts fourth with both unbeaten in five
Stoke City host Middlesbrough at the bet365 Stadium in a meeting of two of the Championship's top four, with Elliot Bell refereeing. Middlesbrough are 2nd with 18 points from nine games and Stoke 4th on 16; both are unbeaten in their last five, Stoke with four wins.
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in the last four league meetings, including a 2-1 win at Stoke in January 2026. Stoke did win 5-0 at Middlesbrough in the League Cup in August 2024.
Stoke are without A. Cresswell (knee), S. Ingelsson (muscle) and M. Talovierov, who is suspended after a red card; E. Galbraith leads their scoring with three goals. Middlesbrough are missing A. Jones (calf); S. Berhalter has two goals and two assists.
2 : 2
1 : 5
1 : 2
0 : 1
5 : 0
1 : 2
1 : 2
1 : 1
1 : 1
