Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

Middlesbrough and Stoke City square off in the Championship on Saturday afternoon with just two points separating the clubs in the standings.

Both teams have claimed just one win in four matches, increasing the need for maximum points to be collected from the fixture at the Riverside Stadium.

Match preview

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At one point this season, it appeared that Middlesbrough would remain as permanent fixtures in a hotly-contested race for the playoffs.

However, despite 10 points being recorded from their last six matches, Neil Warnock's side now sit eight points adrift of sixth-placed Barnsley.

Warnock struggled to contain his frustration after the latest setback at Swansea City, Boro ultimately losing out to a penalty which was scored deep into added-on time.

Having had a week to stew over that result, Warnock will recognise that his players need to go on the attack at the weekend, especially against opponents who sit just two points adrift of them.

While Boro have scored in their last eight Championship fixtures, more is required from their attacking players with Duncan Watmore remaining as the club's top goalscorer with six goals.

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Michael O'Neill has also endured issues in the final third with just three of his Stoke players scoring more than twice in the Championship this season.

With 25 goal contributions between them, Nick Powell and Steven Fletcher have played a key role, but they will require assistance if the Potters are going to move up the table.

Stoke got back to winning ways against Wycombe Wanderers last weekend courtesy of rare efforts from Harry Souttar and Rhys Norrington-Davies.

However, the Staffordshire outfit's last away triumph came back on December 2, leaving O'Neill and his players looking to end a nine-match winless streak on their travels.

Team News

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Warnock could hand a start to January arrival Nathaniel Mendez-Laing after the winger made an impact versus Swansea.

Neeskens Kebano, Chuba Akpom and Ashley Fletcher are also in contention for a recall to the side, with Djed Spence an alternative to Anfernee Djiksteel at right-back or right wing-back.

Barring any late fitness issues, O'Neill may opt against making any alterations to his Stoke XI.

Tashan Oakley-Boothe and Jordan Thompson are both options in midfield if Jacob Brown drops out.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Fry, Hall, McNair; Dijksteel, Saville, Morsy, Bola; Watmore, Akpom, Mendez-Laing

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Smith, Souttar, Chester, Norrington-Davies; Mikel, Allen; Brown, Powell, Clarke; Fletcher

We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Stoke City

With relegation not on their radar, both clubs have the freedom to push for victory in the North-East. However, attacking has not necessarily been their strong point, leading us to predict a low-scoring draw at the Riverside Stadium.