It's becoming desperate at Stoke City, who went into the Championship relegation zone on Saturday for the first time. They're only in on goal difference, but it's a huge moment for the club, as they continue their struggles. They are at home this weekend, with Middlesbrough the visitors, a side who are mid table, and probably best described as inconsistent.
Stoke City Form GuideSteven Schumacher was supposed to take Stoke City forward, and lead them clear of the relegation zone and into a mid table contender this season, with a platform to build on for the future. But it's been quite the opposite, as they've struggled for form and won just one of their last seven games, losing the other six.
They found themselves in the relegation zone last weekend after a 2-1 defeat away at Cardiff, before that, they lost 1-0 at home to Coventry. Their only win recently was a 1-0 home win over fellow strugglers QPR, and there is no doubt, had they lost that, the situation would have looked a whole lot worse.
Middlesbrough Form GuideThere are a handful of teams that have really made me scratch my head this season, and Middlesbrough are certainly one of them. They've got a fairly even record as we stand now, 13 wins and 15 losses, which is remarkable considering the poor start they had, but I'd still consider them to be an incredibly inconsistent side.
To make matters worse, they've lost three of their last four in the league too. The one win they recorded was a 2-1 victory away at league leaders Leicester, remarkable really, but they've lost to Plymouth, Preston and Bristol City in the same period, highlighting just how hard they are to get right.
Match PredictionThis one is massive for Stoke, but I just can't have them at the moment. They're relying on Middlesbrough not showing up, I will back Middlesbrough to show up, and back Boro to take home three points with them.
