Recap
With a great second-half response, Middlesbrough managed to turn things around against Swansea to celebrate an impressive 1:3 victory and close the gap on second place to four points. It was their 7th win in the last 8 games and until the end of the season they will lead an uncertain battle with Sheffield United for direct promotion. The only absentees are Matt Crooks (29/6 out in the last 2 matches), Dael Fry (29/0 out in the last match), and Muniz (16/2 long term absence). Stoke got their second win in a row against Blackburn and are in solid form with 2 defeats in their last 7 league games. Today they have several absences like Powell (17/3), Šarkić (7/0), Tezgel (3/0), while Wimot (33/3) and Jagielka (21/2) are doubtful. Stoke always play hard at the Riverside Stadium, where they have 4 consecutive defeats and I think Middlesbrough are on a roll and have to maintain the race for direct promotion.