Middlesbrough VS Stoke City Match Prediction

The head-to-head record between these clubs gives few clues to the outcome of Saturday's game as it is remarkably even, with Middlesbrough claiming 38 wins compared to Stoke's 34 victories, with just 20 draws.

The last time these teams met was in the 2008-09 Premier League season, the last time Boro were in the top-flight of English football, and they won 2-1 against Stoke at home in the opening weeks of the season. However, the Potters got their revenge with a 1-0 win later in the campaign.

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Middlesbrough v Stoke City: Prediction

Middlesbrough stumbled to promotion in the end, with a series of draws just about enough to hold off the challenge of Brighton and Hove Albion, who subsequently lost in the play-offs. 

But momentum at Boro should be strong with a string of eye-catching new arrivals at the Riverside Stadium, including Victor Valdes and Alvaro Negredo, who both have Premier League experience. Stoke's away form has typically been poor under Mark Hughes and it is hard to see them winning here.

Middlesbrough v Stoke City: Betting Tips

Middlesbrough can be backed at a tempting 13/10 to get their new Premier League adventure off to a winning start, while the 27/10 on a Stoke victory is not particularly good value. The draw may be worth considering at a price of 9/4 for this match.

Both teams to score is worth considering at odds of 6/5 for this match, while the 6/4 available on over 2.5 goals to be scored in the game is worth a look here too.

Middlesbrough look to be easily the most progressive of the Premier League's trio of promoted clubs and a number of high-profile signings have boosted survival hopes on Teesside this summer.

Alvaro Negredo is in line to make his debut in attack after joining on loan, but an injury to commanding centre-back Daniel Ayala is a blow. Viktor Fischer and Victor Valdes are likely to be the other debutants on show at the Riverside Stadium as Boro return to the top-flight on Saturday.

Middlesbrough likely XI:

Valdes, Friend, Nsue, Gibson, Barragan, Clayton, Fischer, Downing, Adomah, Ramirez, Negredo.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland is fit again after missing the end of last season - and Euro 2016 - with a broken ankle and he will take his place in goal at the rebranded bet365 Stadium. New signings Ramadan Sobhi and Joe Allen are in line to make their debuts in this match.

Stoke's man to watch remains Gianelli Imbula, whose power and control in the middle of the pitch should see Mark Hughes finish in the top half of the Premier League again, although the Potters could do with signing a new striker to lead the line.

Stoke City likely XI:

Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Imbula, Allen, Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic, Diouf.

How Aitor Karanka incorporates his slate of new signings could be key, with last year\'s squad deserving the chance to impress in the Premier League. Stoke do not look to have moved forward much this summer but they will remain tough to beat, although Boro could just about have the edge here. A 2-1 home win.

Stoke have conceded at least twice in three successive Premier League away matches, losing each of those games.