On Friday afternoon, Middlesbrough host Stoke at the Riverside Stadium, in a game that could be vital in the home sides hopes of securing a play-off spot in the Championship.
Middlesbrough have recorded back-to-back Championship victories over Bolton and Hull City after six straight league defeats put their chances of securing a play-off spot in major doubt.
The two wins have kept Boro in with a fighting chance of a top-six spot. However, the team from the north east are still a point outside the play-off spots, and sixth place Bristol City also have a game in hand on Tony Pulis’ side.
The aforementioned victory over Hull in Boro’s last home game ended a four-game losing streak for the team from the north east on home soil. A record of just two home wins from their last eight league matches on home soil is a poor one.
Middlesbrough recent home games in the Championship have been low-scoring with nine of their last 11 league matches producing under 2.5 goals, including their last three league games on home soil.
Stoke have endured an inconsistent Championship campaign this season. The Potters are currently 17th place in the league table. The team from Staffordshire now have little to play for, as they are 13 points off the play-off positions and 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
The visitors have become the kings of the draw in the Championship of late, as they have drawn eight of their last 11 matches in the second tier. Their recent outings in the league have been low-scoring with under 2.5 goals scored in 12 of their last 14 matches.
Stoke have struggled for away wins in the Championship of late, winning just one of their last 13 away matches in the second tier.
Unsurprisingly, considering both sides recent records of low scoring games, Forebet has predicted that this game will end in a low scoring draw.