Stoke City's Next Opponent in the EFL Cup
• In their recent history, Stoke City holds the advantage, having won the last few encounters
• Before facing their EFL Cup rival, they must first take on West Brom Albion in the EFL Championship
By Oscar Cortes
Stoke City’s opponent for the next round of the EFL Cup has been confirmed. After a convincing 2-0 away victory against Carlisle United in the first round, they are set to face a tough opponent—a familiar foe that they have frequently met in the EFL Championship and even clashed with in the Premier League several years ago.
Steve Schumacher is expected to approach this match with a strong game plan, understanding the importance of continuing in this prestigious competition. Stoke City is eager to compete at the highest level in every tournament, using these opportunities to grow as a club.
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Middlesbrough vs. Stoke City in the EFL Cup
This will be the matchup in the next round of the EFL Cup, with both teams having won their opening fixtures convincingly. As mentioned, Stoke City defeated Carlisle United 2-0, while Middlesbrough secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Leeds United.
Stoke City’s performance against Carlisle United was excellent, dominating nearly the entire match. Goals from Freddie Anderson and Emre Tezgel were crucial to this win, despite Schumacher not fielding a full-strength squad. On the other hand, Middlesbrough also had a commanding win against Leeds United, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
These two teams will face off on August 27 in the EFL Cup, but they are also scheduled to meet again in September in the EFL Championship. Reflecting on their recent history, the last five encounters have seen 2 wins for Stoke City, 2 draws, and 1 win for Middlesbrough.
Stoke City has had a slight upper hand in recent matches, including their last meeting on March 2, 2024, when Stoke won 2-0 in the EFL Championship with goals from Bae Jun-Ho and Lewis Baker.
For now, Stoke City is focused on this upcoming EFL Cup clash, but before that, they must first take on a challenging West Brom Albion side at home on August 24, where they hope to secure three points in the EFL Championship.