Middlesbrough 0-0 Stoke City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes' post-match review of Middlesbrough 0-0 Stoke City in the Championship on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Well, that was a bit of a stalemate at the Riverside, wasn't it? Middlesbrough and Stoke City played out a goalless draw, which might not have been the most thrilling spectacle, but it certainly kept things tight at the top of the table. Boro, coming off a mixed bag of results with a draw against Southampton and a win over West Brom, couldn't quite find the breakthrough at home. Stoke, on the other hand, managed to extend their unbeaten run to three games, showing resilience after a loss to QPR. No standout performances today, but both teams will be pleased with a point, especially Stoke, who managed to hold firm away from home.

The result might not have been a shock, given the recent form of both sides. Middlesbrough had been drawing and winning in their last few outings, while Stoke had been picking up points consistently. Today's match was a testament to both teams' defensive solidity, with neither side able to capitalise on their chances. It's a point gained for both, and they'll be looking to build on this in their upcoming fixtures.

Looking at the stats, it's clear why this game ended in a draw. Middlesbrough had more of the ball with 55% possession, but Stoke City edged them out in corners, winning 8 to Boro's 5. That suggests Stoke were perhaps more dangerous from set pieces, even if they couldn't convert. The successful dribbles percentage was higher for Middlesbrough at 56%, showing they tried to play more through the lines, but it didn't lead to goals. The two yellow cards for Middlesbrough compared to none for Stoke might indicate a bit more frustration on their part as the game wore on.

Unfortunately, there weren't any standout key moments to report from this match. Both teams had their chances, but neither could find the back of the net. The game was defined by its lack of decisive action, with both sides cancelling each other out effectively. Substitutions were made by both teams, with Middlesbrough making five and Stoke four, but these changes didn't alter the course of the game significantly.

The absence of goals, assists, or even cards from either side speaks volumes about the nature of this contest. It was a game where both teams were cautious, perhaps too much so, leading to a result that neither will be overly disappointed with but won't be celebrating either. The focus was clearly on not losing rather than on winning, which is reflected in the lack of key moments.

Middlesbrough lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Sol Brynn in goal and a back four of Luke Ayling, George Edmundson, Alfie Jones, and Matt Targett. The midfield trio of Hayden Hackney, Alan Browne, and Aidan Morris provided a solid base, while Sverre Nypan, David Strelec, and Tommy Conway led the attack. No real surprises in the lineup, but the five substitutions made by Boro suggest they were trying to find a spark that never quite ignited.

The performance of the team was steady but lacked the cutting edge needed to break down Stoke's defence. The formation allowed for control of the game, but the attacking players couldn't find the final pass or shot to make the difference. It was a day where the lineup did its job defensively but couldn't quite deliver offensively.

Stoke City opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Viktor Johansson between the sticks and a backline of Bosun Lawal, Ashley Phillips, Ben Wilmot, and Eric-Junior Bocat. The double pivot of Ben Pearson and Tatsuki Seko anchored the midfield, with Sorba Thomas, Jun-ho Bae, and Lamine Cissé supporting striker Róbert Boženík. The lineup was solid and showed no major surprises, with the four substitutions made indicating a desire to maintain the status quo rather than chase the game.

The performance from Stoke was disciplined and organised, with the formation allowing them to soak up pressure and hit on the counter. No individual stood out, but as a unit, they were effective in frustrating Middlesbrough. The lineup did its job in securing a valuable point away from home, which is no mean feat in this league.

Sol Brynn is Ladbrokes' Man of the Match, and it's easy to see why. With five saves and no goals conceded, Brynn was a rock at the back for Middlesbrough. His performance was crucial in ensuring Boro came away with a point, as he kept Stoke at bay throughout the match. A clean sheet and those saves make him a deserving recipient of this accolade.

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 0-0 vs Stoke City (H)

• Draw: 1-1 vs Southampton (A)

• Win: 2-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (H)

• Draw: 2-2 vs Preston North End (A)

• Win: 1-0 vs Sheffield United (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 0-0 vs Middlesbrough (A)

• Draw: 1-1 vs Norwich City (H)

• Loss: 0-1 vs Queens Park Rangers (A)

• Win: 1-0 vs Birmingham City (H)

• Loss: 0-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (H)

Sitting pretty at the top of the table with 18 points, Middlesbrough will be looking to maintain their lead when they face Portsmouth on October 04, 2025 at 15:00. Portsmouth are languishing in 19th place with just 8 points, so this is a game Boro will fancy their chances in. After today's draw, they'll be keen to get back to winning ways and put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

Stoke City, now in second place with 14 points, will take on Blackburn Rovers on October 04, 2025 at 12:30. Blackburn are struggling in 21st with only 6 points, so this is an opportunity for Stoke to close the gap on Middlesbrough. The point gained today will give them confidence, and they'll be looking to capitalise on Blackburn's poor form to keep the pressure on at the top.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.