Middlesbrough 19/10 to beat Stoke City in Friday’s Championship contest

Competition: Championship

Market: Middlesbrough win

Odds: 19/10 @ Bet 365

In what is billed as a real relegation six-pointer, Middlesbrough will welcome Stoke to the Riverside on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Jonathan Woodgate may have seen his side hit with a 3-1 defeat away at play-off hopefuls Swansea last weekend, there is no doubt that Boro will be glad to make a return to the North East on Friday night. With the former England defender guiding his side out of the drop zone and now holding a three-point buffer, a huge part of their recent revival has come thanks to their form on home soil. Snatching back-to-back 1-0 victories over Charlton and Barnsley in their last two appearances at the Riverside, Boro are also unbeaten in their last four matches in front of their own supporters, a run that stems back to the 19th of October.

As for the visitors, missing out on a golden opportunity to build off of their victory over Luton earlier in the month by only playing out a 0-0 draw against Reading last week, Stoke still find themselves sat two points adrift of safety. Appearing to slump back to their old ways and still seen to be a favorite for a stunning relegation this year, it will be their continued issues on the road giving new boss Michael O’Neill the biggest headache. Now losing four of their last five matches away from the BET365 Stadium, it should also be noted that the last time Stoke made the trip to the Riverside they were hit with a 1-0 defeat back in April.

Bet: Middlesbrough 19/10 to beat Stoke City in Friday’s Championship contest @ Bet 365