Boro v Stoke preview

Boro keen to prevent Stoke from securing a second top-flight win

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 29th August 2008

Gareth Southgate ITV

Southgate: Keeper shortage

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 2-1

SKY BET odds: Boro 4/7, Draw 13/5, Stoke 6/1

One to Watch: Afonso Alves

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Middlesbrough will be keen to bring Stoke crashing back down to earth at the Riverside on Saturday.

Boro suffered an agonising 2-1 defeat away at Liverpool last weekend, with all three of the league goals they have conceded this season coming in the last 10 minutes of games.

They are, however, in decent form at home, having won their last four matches in front of their own supporters, including Tuesday's 5-1 Carling Cup drubbing of Yeovil.

While Gareth Southgate's men are struggling to keep opponents out at the death, Stoke are already experts at snatching late goals.

Three of the four they have scored during their first taste of Premier League life have come with 80 minutes or more on the clock.

The Potters are also more than useful on their travels, with an opening day defeat at Bolton their first defeat in seven away from the Britannia Stadium.

History is also on Tony Pulis' side as the last two league meetings between the sides, back in 1997/98, ended as away wins.

Jones sidelined

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones is back in training after dislocating a finger in the pre-match warm up at Liverpool last weekend, but remains sidelined by the problem.

The Australia international is still recovering from minor ligament damage and will not be considered for the Riverside encounter.

Ross Turnbull, who replaced Jones at the last minute at Anfield, is expected to remain in goal, while England Under-19 international keeper Jason Steele has been added to Southgate's squad.

Defenders David Wheater and Andrew Taylor, both of whom picked up knocks at Liverpool, are fit again and are included in the squad, meaning Julio Arca (ankle) is their only other absentee.

Pulis unchanged

Stoke manager Pulis will return to his first-choice line-up for the trip to the North East after resting 10 players for Tuesday's Carling Cup victory at Cheltenham.

Pulis is likely to field the team which beat Aston Villa 3-2 last Saturday, providing captain Andy Griffin comes through a fitness test on a bruised knee. Andy Wilkinson is on standby should the veteran full-back miss out.

Possible starting XIs

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Shawky, Downing, Alves, Tuncay.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Dickinson, Lawrence, Olofinjana, Delap, Amdy Faye, Kitson, Fuller.