David Prutton backs one team to keep promotion 'ambitions alive' in Middlesbrough vs Stoke City prediction

Neil Warnock’s men were undone in controversial fashion after Swansea City netted a late penalty in a 2-1 defeat last weekend, leaving the Teessiders eight points adrift of the play-off places.

For their part, Stoke are 10 points outside the top six, but ended a run of three straight defeats against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s clash at the Riverside, however, Prutton has backed Boro to pick up the three points.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “Middlesbrough have had a week to recover from their defeat at Swansea last week, and you would imagine that Neil Warnock will have them right up for this one.

“Both sides will still harbour an outside hope of forcing their way into the top-six equation, but I think it will be Boro that keep those ambitions alive.”

Prutton predicts a 2-1 win for the home team in this one.

Stoke were victorious when the two sides last met in December, picking up a 1-0 win.

For the most part, however, Boro have enjoyed a decent record against the Potters in recent times, and won both meetings last season.

The Teessiders beat City at the Riverside in December 2019 thanks to goals from Ashley Fletcher and Lewis Wing.

Warnock’s side were successful in the reverse fixture back in June too, with Britt Assombalonga scoring the decisive goal with after just two minutes.