Stoke City vs Middlesbrough Predictions

• Middlesbrough have won six of their last ten Championship games
• Stoke are without a win in three league home matches, scoring just once in that run
• Boro are unbeaten in the last three head-to-heads, winning twice

Middlesbrough may prove too strong for promotion rivals

Both of these sides are among the huge group of Championship sides battling it for promotion to the Premier League but it is Middlesbrough who are faring the better of the pair and Kim Hellberg’s men should prove that they can indeed do it on a cold, Wednesday night in Stoke. 

Boro went through a tricky spell around the turn of the year, failing to win any of their last three games of 2025 and opening 2026 with a 1-0 loss to Derby, but a 4-0 rout of Southampton and Saturday’s 3-2 victory at West Brom moved them back up to second. 

Ipswich, Millwall and plenty of others are right behind them, though, and Hellberg will ensure his players remain focused ahead of a trip to the Potteries. 

Back Boro to narrowly see off Stoke

Stoke are also flying high, starting the weekend in seventh and just two points off the playoffs, but Saturday’s uninspiring 0-0 draw when hosting QPR does little to suggest they can keep Boro at bay. 

Middlesbrough have won three of their last five Championship away games and the January arrival of exciting youngster Leo Castledine has only bolstered an already strong squad. 

Mark Robins’ Stoke will look to keep things tight but just two goals in their last four home matches suggests Boro should edge things in Staffordshire.