Middlesbrough are back in League Cup action on Tuesday evening when they face off with Stoke City.
The League Cup has been a favored competition of the Teessiders throughout their history.
Middlesbrough reached the final of the competition on a couple of occasions before eventually winning it in 2004 versus Bolton Wanderers.
It was the first time in the club’s history that Boro won a trophy and to this day, remains their only piece of silverware.
Michael Carrick guided the North East outfit all the way to the semi-final of the competition in 2023/24, where they picked up a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the first leg.
Had the two-leg rule been abolished, as it has been for the current campaign, Middlesbrough would have made it to the final.
However, Boro lost the second leg at Stamford Bridge in convincing fashion, shipping six goals.
Their 2024/25 League Cup run got off to an excellent start earlier this month when Middlesbrough beat Leeds United 3-0.
They are now into the second round and back in action this evening at the Riverside Stadium.
Why Middlesbrough vs Stoke City kick-off time was moved
There are 18 second-round League Cup games taking place on Tuesday evening.
Birmingham City vs Fulham and Crystal Palace vs Norwich City kick-off at 8pm BST with 15 of the other games all taking place at 7:45pm.
However, the meeting between Middlesbrough and Stoke is the only one that will get underway at 7:15pm.
The reason for this has now been explained by BBC Sport Tees on X/Twitter, and it is quite touching.
They wrote: “Middlesbrough requested an earlier KO time of 19:15 for Tuesday evening’s game, which was agreed by Stoke City and the EFL
“Boro’s aim is to make the match available for more families to attend in what is the last week of the school holidays”
Will Middlesbrough beat Stoke
Middlesbrough’s form has not been great since their opening-day win against Swansea City – at least in the Championship anyway.
Boro lost 1-0 to newly-promoted Derby County at Pride Park in game week two before being held to a 2-2 draw by Portsmouth last time out.
Carrick will be looking to get back to winning ways this evening but injury issues and the fact it is a cup competition means he is expected to field a makeshift eleven.
Harley Hunt could start against Stoke while Tommy Conway could be in from the off for the first time since he signed from Bristol City.
Boro’s goalkeeper choice for tonight’s game will also likely shed some light on the future of Tom Glover as if he does not start, he will likely want to move on this week to ensure he plays regularly this season.
