Nickel oxide and yttria doped zirconia composite strength is crucial for anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells, especially during transient operation, but also for the initial stacking process, where cell curvature after sintering can cause problems. This work first compares tensile and ball-on-ring strength measurements of as-sintered anodes support. Secondly, the strength of anode support sintered alone is compared to the strength of a co-sintered anode support with anode and electrolyte layers. Finally, the orientation of the specimens to the bending axis of a co-sintered half-cell is investigated. Even though the electrolyte is to the tensile side, it is found that the anode support fails due to the thermo-mechanical residual stresses.