stoke city and middlesbrough Bring round 28 English Football League Champion They will face off at bet365 Stadium on Wednesday. The Potters have started the year unbeaten, with three wins and one draw in four games so far, and they will be looking to continue that impressive run.

Last Saturday, Stoke City was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Queens Park Rangers, ending their 100% record in 2026.

The Potters started the new year with three wins in three games, beating Hull City and Norwich City in the league and beating Coventry City 1-0 in the FA Cup third round on January 10.

This string of solid results has put Stoke City in serious contention for a playoff spot as they sit seventh in the Championship, just two points behind Preston North End in sixth for the final playoff spot.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at The Hawthorns last weekend and achieved consecutive league wins for the first time since the beginning of the year.

Sandwiched between two Championship wins, Kim Helberg’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup after losing 3-1 to Premier League side Fulham at Craven Cottage on January 10.

Middlesbrough are third in the league with 49 points from 27 games, nine points behind first-placed Coventry and expected to reach the play-offs.

Stoke City vs Middlesbrough clash and key statistics

• Middlesbrough have won 45 of the past 110 meetings between the two rivals and have an excellent record in the history of this competition.
• Since the first meeting in December 1902, Stoke City have won 39 games and shared the spoils 26 times.
• Middlesbrough have lost all but one of their last four away games, with the exception of last weekend’s narrow win over West Brom.
• Stoke City currently have the best defensive record in the Championship, conceding just 23 goals so far, one fewer than any other team in the league.

Stoke City vs Middlesbrough Prediction

Stoke City have turned around their fortunes in the new year with just one win from their last seven games in 2025 and will head into Wednesday’s game full of confidence.

Middlesbrough have struggled for results on the road but we predict they will build on their win over West Brom and look for a share of the spoils.

prophecy: Stoke City 1-1 Middlesbrough

Stoke City vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Draw

Tip 2: Over 2.5 Goals – No (5 of the last 7 games between the two teams have had less than 3 goals)

Tip 3: More than 4.5 cards – No (fewer than five yellow cards in five of the past six encounters)