A month on from their 5-0 EFL Cup thrashing at the hands of Stoke, Middlesbrough are eager to avenge that embarrassing defeat.

To their credit, Michael Carrick's men have responded by taking four points from their last three games.

A 2-0 win at Cardiff City was followed by a point at home to Preston North End and they went into the derby with Sunderland in promising form.

However, a first-half goal from Chris Rigg proved the difference at the Stadium of Light and the defeat left Boro with eight points from their opening six games.

Five of those points have come from their three games at the Riverside, which means they are unbeaten at home in the second tier.

Meanwhile, Stoke are embarking on a new era under new head coach Narcis Pelach, the surprise choice to replace Steven Schumacher.

It looked like an inspired choice when the Potters found themselves 1-0 up at half-time against Hull City in his first game in charge, but the Tigers stormed back to claim a 3-1 victory in front of a raucous home crowd.

With Stoke now having lost four of their last five Championship games, Pelach faces an uphill task to win over the fans in the short term.

Just one of their four league goals has come away from home, albeit in a 1-0 win at Plymouth before the international break.

Carrick will consider handing starts to Ben Doak and Micah Hamilton as he looks for a solution to Middlesborough's goal drought.

Boro still have a significant injury list, with Rav van den Berg and Lukas Engel the closest to returning to the squad.

As Pelach looks to get to grips with his new system, it would not be surprising to see him stick with the same Stoke XI.

Emre Tezgel may be preferred to Lewis Koumas in the final third, but the rest of the team could remain the same.

Ashley Phillips and Sam Gallagher are still out injured for the Potters.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Ayling, Edmundson, Clarke, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Jones, Conway, Azaz; Latte Lath

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Wilmot, Gibson, Bocat; Koumas, Burger, Thompson, Bae; Manhoef; Cannon

Prediction:Middlesbrough 2-1 Stoke City

Middlesbrough VS Stoke City stream and TV listing

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