Stoke City – Middlesbrough

Stoke City will host a promotion‑chasing Middlesbrough on their own turf, a clash that pits the league’s tenth‑placed side, sitting on ten points from three wins, a draw and three defeats, against the fifth‑placed visitors who have amassed thirteen points from four victories, a draw and just one loss. Both teams have scored and conceded the same number of goals – Stoke 11 for and 11 against, Middlesbrough 12 for and eight against – underscoring a tight defensive record for the Teesside club. The two clubs have met only sparingly this season, but Middlesbrough’s superior recent form and a superior goal difference suggest they will enter the match as slight favourites. A win for Stoke would see them close the gap on the playoff places, while a victory for Middlesbrough could cement their push for a top‑four finish.