Stoke City will definitely be expecting an easier game, at least for its defence, when they host Middlesbrough this weekend. The Potters went down by four goals in their last game away at White Hart Lane, when a determined Tottenham Hotspur hardly gave Mark Hughes’ men any breathing space to work their way back.
The defeat has left Stoke with just 32 points from 26 games. They are in the 10th position in the league table with Sean Dyche’s Burnley hot on their heels after their hard fought draw away against Hull City. The Europa qualification spot chances look very vague for Stoke, with West Bromwich Albion having a lead of eight points over them now.
Things could get worse if the Potters fail to get three points against Boro, who have earned a reputation of frustrating opponents with their adamant defence.
Strongest Stoke City XI vs Middlesbrough
Defence
Lee Grant will take his position under the bar again. The 34-year-old could hardly do anything in the last game as Stoke’s crumbling defence was exploited repeatedly. With Hughes’ first-choice Jack Butland still recovering from his broken ankle, Grant is the best bet in that position.
Hughes had opted for more or less his strongest back line in the last game and if any improvement is needed, it is in their mentality. Erik Pieters will start as the left-back with Phil Bardsley on the right. Johnson is recovering from an Achilles injury and it is difficult to predict if he would be contention to start the game.
The central defensive duo of Bruno Martins Indi and Ryan Shawcross had a disastrous game with no coordination between them. Although things improved in the second half, the central pairing looked jaded for the most part. We expect the duo to pull their socks up and get the job done this Saturday.
Midfield
Hughes opted to start with Glenn Whelan in the anchor position last game alongside Charlie Adam and the result was disastrous. The 33-year-old Irishman was subbed in the final ten minutes and critics have questioned Hughes’ team selection. We expect the boss to start with Giannelli Imbula this time in place of him. Although Adam was equally underwhelming, the midfielder was given little space to create things up front.
Joe Allen will once again take the number 10 role behind the striker. The Wales international was the only positive in Stoke’s poor display last game.
Attack
With Xherdan Shaqiri still absent owing to his calf injury, Stoke City look spineless at the moment. However, their attack couldn’t have done any better with the little chances thrown their way. We expect Hughes to stock with his top three and expect a better game from their defence and midfield.
Egyptian international Ramadan Sobhi looked brilliant at times in the last game although it wasn’t his type of game. We expect him to continue starting ahead of Ibrahim Afellay on the left wing. Marko Arnautovic should start on the right flank. Peter Crouch will once again take his position up front.
Crouch
Sobhi – Allen – Arnautovic
Imbulla – Adam
Pieters – Indi – Shawcross – Bardsley
Grant
