Middlesbrough vs Stoke City:
English Premier League 2016/17,
Date: Saturday, 13 August 2016,
Kick-Off: 15:00 UK,
Venue: Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough).
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Middlesbrough and Stoke City will battle it out at Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their first game of 2016/2017 English Premier League season.
Middlesbrough had a good defensive record last season, they conceded only 31 goals in their 46 league games and they have put more interest in defence in the transfer market to ensure another super defensive season in the top flight.
Stoke City finished in the top half of the table (9th) last season making it Mark Hughes’ 3rd consecutive finish in the top half of the table. Now with the squad depth they have, they hope to break into the top 8 teams this season as they haven’t done so since 1974/75 season.
Middlesbrough: Team News
Karanka’s men are without any injury as they kick-off the season. They did themselves well in the transfer market to bring in former Barcelona shot stopper Victor Valdez and also they have captured Alvaro Negredo on a season long loan.
Stoke City: Team News
The potters have Affellay on their injury list and is expected to miss the season opener against Middlesbrough. The potters have done themselves well to bring in Joe Allen from Liverpool and extended Arnautovic’s contract to another five years.
Middlesbrough vs Stoke City: Head to Head statistics
- This two teams have met on 58 occasions with Middlesbrough winning 26 times, while the Potters have won 20 times, while just 2 matches end in a draw.
- Their last meeting was at Britannia Stadium in 2008/2009 EPL season when Stoke beat Middlesbrough by a lone goal.
- At home Middlesbrough have lost only 3 of their 29 games to the Potters, they have won 21 and drawn 5.
Middlesbrough vs Stoke City: Prediction
Both teams haven’t had the best of forms during their pre-season friendlies, The host have won just 2 of their last 5 pre-season games, they have also drawn 2 and lost one which was against Real Betis.
The potters were involved in 4 games in the pre-season, which they lost 2 which includes a 3-0 smacking against Burton Albion, they also drew 1 and won 1.
Only few games between these two teams have ended in draw (12), the host have a good home record against the Potters and they seem to have prepared well for the season. I predict a surprise win for the new comers with a high inflow of goals.
Middlesbrough vs Stoke City: Tips
- Both teams to score
- Double Chance 1/2
