Both beaten last time out, relegation-threatened Stoke City and playoff hopefuls Middlesbrough will seek maximum points when they meet on Tuesday.

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Recent wins over Hull City and Swansea had helped Stoke move six points clear of the bottom three, giving a big boost to their Championship survival hopes.

However, their away woes continued on Saturday, when the Potters suffered a 4-2 defeat in Norwich despite Lewis Baker bagging a brace - they have now won just one of their last eight league matches on the road.

Nonetheless, they are unbeaten in four fixtures at the bet365 Stadium and are now intent on posting back-to-back home wins for the first time in the league this season.

Across his managerial career, Stoke boss Mark Robins has won six and lost just one of eight previous home games against Middlesbrough - winning his last three in succession with Coventry City - and he will aim to continue that trend on Tuesday.

As the hosts have lost just two of their last 20 against Boro in the Potteries, history is also on their side - if not league position.

Having previously lost three games to Stoke by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0, Middlesbrough broke that dismal run by winning September's reverse fixture, and they currently sit nine points above their next opponents.

Now seeking a first league double over the Staffordshire side since 2020, Boro really need a midweek victory, as their dreams of making the playoffs are diminishing.

Following five straight defeats, Michael Carrick's men occupy 13th place, sitting seven points adrift of the top six - albeit still with a game in hand.

On Friday night, conceding two late goals cost them dearly against Bristol City, and a 2-1 loss allowed one of their direct rivals to move into the playoff places.

Once lauded for his impressive impact, Carrick is now coming under pressure to produce a turnaround, having overseen just two wins in 12 Championship matches - his team's last away success was on New Year's Day.

Having racked up 27 goals across their 16 Championship road trips, Boro are still the second tier's top away scorers, but they must also try to keep the back door shut against a Stoke side scrapping for survival.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Rose, Stevens; Pearson, Seko; Moran, Baker, Koumas; Al-Hamadi

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Travers; Dijksteel, Fry, Van den Berg, Borges; Hackney, Morris; Whittaker, Azaz, Burgzorg; Iheanacho