Stoke v Middlesbrough Betting Tips [5 December 2020]

Two teams burgeoning under the stewardship of their managers’ first full season in charge will collide when Stoke host Middlesbrough at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday. Michael O’Neill took on the reigns at Stoke when they were involved in a relegation tussle but this season, after surviving, he has steered them to 8th position, one point outside the play-off places. Neil Warnock has carried out a similar job so far at Borough having led the club to 17th place last season and this term they have started much better losing three of their first 15 games. Warnock’s side are currently 10th, on 24 points, just one behind their hosts and two off 6th position 

Four points separate the top ten teams in the Championship and with their best start since their relegation from the Premier League, Stoke find themselves firmly amongst the pack. The Potters had gone two games unbeaten but returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Wycombe in midweek for their third victory in five games. Their home form so far has been indifferent though with three wins, two draws and two defeats and they did lose their last home game to Norwich 3-2.  

As for Boro, in typical Warnock fashion, he has steadied the ship at the club and now they are progressing further up the table and closer to where they expect a club of their calibre to be. Middlesbrough defeated high-flying Swansea 2-1 on Wednesday night to avenge their 3-2 loss to Huddersfield last weekend. On the road they have managed just one victory from seven matches in the Championship but have drawn four of those matches.